In The News
Earlier today, Evan Canzoneri of Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation and Tre' Hendry of John Hendry Insurance Agency presented Mayor David McDavid, Safety Officer Bob Whitaker, and Human Resources Director Ashlee Pratt with the LWCC 2024 Safest 70 Award on behalf of the city. This prestigious award will be proudly displayed in the City Council Chambers.
The Safest 70 Awards recognize businesses and organizations that prioritize employee safety by fostering secure work environments. Their commitment to safety not only reduces risks and workplace accidents but also contributes to a stronger, safer Louisiana for everyone.
Mayor McDavid has officially proclaimed April as Flood Awareness Month in the City of Zachary. During the City Council meeting, Bryant Dixon, the City’s Floodplain Manager, emphasized the importance of flood awareness and preparedness in the community. “With our region’s history of severe weather events and the increasing risks associated with heavy rainfall and hurricanes, it is essential to take proactive measures to safeguard our homes, businesses, and infrastructure,” said Dixon. “Flooding remains the most common and costly natural disaster, impacting countless families and communities each year. By recognizing April as Flood Awareness Month, we aim to educate residents about flood risks, encourage preparedness, and promote mitigation strategies. This includes understanding flood zones, ensuring proper drainage, maintaining infrastructure, and staying informed about flood insurance and emergency response plans.”
Mayor McDavid echoed these sentiments, urging residents to take necessary precautions. “We encourage everyone to take steps to protect their families and properties from potential flooding. Through awareness and preparedness, we can work together to build a more resilient Zachary,” he said.
April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring more storm water runoff. It’s important to keep our drains clean—remember, only rain belongs in the drain! As you tidy up your yard this spring, be sure to dispose of leaves, yard waste, and debris properly, not in storm drains.
The City of Zachary encourages residents to participate in Storm Water Prevention Awareness Days on Monday, April 7th, and Tuesday, April 8th, during your regular Bulky Waste Pickup Day. Please pre-bag green waste like leaves, flowers, stalks, stems, and tree trimmings, then place them by the road for Waste Depot pickup.
Bulky Waste Collection runs from 6 AM to 8 PM. Not sure of your pickup day?
North of Main Street/Hwy. 64:1st & 3rd Mondays
South of Main Street/Hwy. 64:1st & 3rd Tuesdays
Remember, please avoid blowing or sweeping grass clippings into storm drains also. Let’s keep our drains clear and our city clean!
The City of Zachary is updating its Master Plan, and we want YOUR input! The draft Master Plan and Future Land Use Map are now available for review, and public comments are open until April 14th.
🔍 How to Participate:
✅ Review the draft plan
✅ Send your feedback to:
📩 Stephen Villavaso – svillavaso1@cox.net
📩 Fred Neal – frednealjr@gmail.com
📩 Bryant Dixon – bryant.dixon@cityofzachary.org
📅 Upcoming Events:
📌 April 7th: Representatives from V&A will be at the Planning & Zoning meeting to answer questions.
📌 April 23rd: A public workshop will be held to review comments and discuss potential updates.
Your voice matters in shaping the future of Zachary! Let’s work together to create a plan that reflects our community’s vision.
#ZacharyMasterPlan#CommunityGrowth #HaveYourSay
The City of Zachary is proud to be recognized among Louisiana’s top 70 safest businesses by the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation (LWCC). This distinction reflects our dedication to injury prevention and maintaining a safe workplace for all employees.
"Safety is a top priority for the City of Zachary. We are committed to providing a secure workplace through training and proactive measures. This recognition reflects our dedication to protecting our employees," said Mayor David McDavid.
To learn more about our recognition and other businesses across Louisiana that were recognized, visit: https://hubs.li/Q037Gyys0
#safetyfirst; #employeesfirst; #LWCC
The City of Zachary has been awarded a $10,000 Beautification Grant to support a tree-planting initiative aimed at enhancing public spaces. As part of this project, a highly visible section of Mt. Pleasant Road was selected for beautification. Recently, thirty-two 12-foot Natchez white crape myrtles—a Louisiana native species—were planted in the medians, adding greenery and charm to the area.
This grant was made possible through funding from the State of Louisiana and the Office of Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “We sincerely thank Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser for choosing Zachary for this beautification initiative,” said Mayor David McDavid. Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) Executive Director Susan Russell added, “Through these grants, Keep Louisiana Beautiful empowers local communities to take pride in their surroundings, working together to protect and enhance our Sportsman’s Paradise.”
On planting day, Attilio Romero, a fourth grader at Zachary Elementary and recipient of the ZEPTCO (Zachary Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization) Councilmember of the Day fundraiser, participated in the event. Attilio had the opportunity to shadow Councilwoman Ambre DeVirgilio and assist in planting the trees. Mayor McDavid and several community members also took part, ensuring the project’s success. While planting, Attilio and Mayor McDavid collected litter from the medians, reinforcing the importance of keeping Zachary clean and beautiful.
“Teaching children the value of volunteering at a young age is essential to our future,” said Mayor McDavid. “Keep Louisiana Beautiful mentors youth and citizens alike through programs such as Love the Boot Week, where individuals and groups statewide demonstrate their commitment to cleaner, healthier communities.”
Save the date! Zachary’s Love the Boot Cleanup Event is scheduled for April 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. This year, efforts will focus on cleaning up the Avenues area of Zachary. Stay tuned for updates on Facebook, and we encourage everyone to volunteer a few hours to help beautify our city!
The City of Zachary partners with Municibid.com, an online government auction platform, to sell surplus items. Utilizing an online auction enhances cost savings and maximizes benefits for both the City and taxpayers by reaching a wider audience.
Bidding is open to the public. Municibid provides a user-friendly marketplace for government agencies, schools, and utilities to sell surplus and forfeited items directly to buyers. Auctions are conducted entirely online and available 24/7.
Currently, the City of Zachary has eight automobiles, filing cabinets, Office printers, a TV, a Generac generator, a commercial refrigerator, two zero turn lawnmowers, and two Honda 4-wheelers available for auction.
Mayor McDavid Applauds City Departments for Keeping Our City Safe During the Winter Snow Event
"The City of Zachary handled the historic snowstorm exceptionally well, with approximately six inches of snow blanketing the area. I credit our team of dedicated city department heads who, in anticipation of the rare winter snowfall, met beforehand to create a solid plan," said Mayor David McDavid.
Our Emergency Preparedness Director, Ty Stephens, worked alongside the incredible teams from Public Works, the Fire Department, Police Department, Parks Department, Purchasing Department, and Utilities Maintenance to keep our city running smoothly. Despite the rarity of snowfall in our area, proactive measures were taken to ensure public safety. For instance, early on, the City secured two pallets of salt by traveling to Houston, Texas, which allowed us to pre-treat and brine the roads ahead of the storm.
After the snow subsided on Tuesday, the Public Works Department, led by Wayne Day, worked tirelessly to de-ice bridges and main roads using a mixture of salt and sand. Their efforts extended beyond the norm—they made special trips to de-ice Lane Regional Medical Center to ensure emergency access and even cleared the parking lot at Rouses, helping residents grocery shop safely once the streets were deemed safe for travel and the curfew was lifted.
The Utilities Maintenance Department also stepped up by implementing proactive measures, such as fueling city generators and placing barricades, to enhance safety throughout the storm. Thanks to their hard work and foresight, our city was able to reopen quickly and without major issues.
The only significant challenge we encountered was a brief gas outage in the Clairmont Subdivision, but our crews resolved the issue promptly. Throughout the storm, the City’s Public Information Officer, the Zachary Police Public Information Officer, and the Fire Department kept residents well-informed with regular updates via Facebook and Text My Gov, ensuring everyone stayed informed. Meanwhile, the Utilities Maintenance Department, led by Jeff Johnson and Lionel Lawson, diligently monitored gas and water pressures city-wide during the extreme low temperatures, which dropped to 7 degrees.
"I am incredibly proud of the dedication and teamwork displayed by our city departments. Their commitment and preparation made all the difference in keeping our city safe and operational during this unprecedented winter event," said Mayor McDavid.
Mayor David McDavid held an emergency preparation meeting on Saturday, January 18th, with all City of Zachary Departments to discuss plans for the impending winter weather. Public Works crews will begin proactive anti-icing measures on Monday to prevent the formation of bonded snow and ice on roads and bridges.
Barricades are already in place and will be deployed if road closures become necessary. Police Chief Lawrence will assess road conditions and the safety of residents to determine whether a curfew will be required during the snowstorm. Updates will be available on Facebook, or residents will receive a notification via Text My Gov if a curfew is enacted.
All emergency vehicles have been fueled, and generators have been tested. "Our City Departments are prepared and will be on 24-hour standby to ensure the safety of our citizens during the winter storm," said Mayor David McDavid. Winter precipitation is expected tomorrow night through Tuesday. Possible snow accumulation totals of 4-6 inches are forecast . Based on this forecast, drivers should not travel during the storm. In case of an emergency, DIAL 9-1-1. Stay safe, stay warm.
Councilwoman Jennifer Boyd Landry was selected by her fellow council members to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore on January 14, 2025.
Jennifer Boyd Landry was elected to the Zachary City Council in December 2022, representing District 5. Jennifer has served in the banking/finance industry for the last 26 years and is the founder of Dogwood Financial Group, specializing in Financial Literacy for all. She is also a licensed Real Estate Agent and operates Dogwood Real Estate Group, serving the Greater Baton Rouge area. Jennifer currently serves on the Lane Regional Medical Center Foundation Board, the Rotary Club of Zachary Board, and the Community Relations Committee for the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors. She is a Rotary Club of Zachary Past President and Past Assistant District Governor for the Rotary District 6200. Jennifer is a graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking and the 2021 recipient of the Zachary Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year award, currently serving as an ambassador to the Chamber. Jennifer has lived in Zachary with her two sons since 2001 and is a member of Zachary First Baptist Church where she recently married Bryan Landry.