In The News

The City of Zachary will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed 2026–2027 Budget on Wednesday, May 13 at 12:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall (4700 Main Street).
Residents are encouraged to attend and hear a discussion of the Mayor’s proposed budget. Please note that no vote will be taken at this meeting.
For more information, CLICK HERE
Addis landed as the second safest city in Louisiana for 2026, along with two other places in the Baton Rouge area, in a new report.
Safewise used FBI crime data to compile a list of the 10 safest places in Louisiana. While Addis in West Baton Rouge Parish nearly ranked first on the list, two other cities near Baton Rouge made the ranking. Baker ranked No. 7 and Zachary ranked No. 9.
A State of the Safety survey reported that Louisiana residents experienced less property crime, with the reported experience with property crime dropping from 31% to 25%. According to Safewise, residents prefer to protect their properties using security cameras, firearms and security systems.
The report shows that Louisiana residents are most concerned about violent crime, gun violence and cyber crime.
Here are the 10 safest Louisiana cities:
- Harahan
- Addis
- Covington
- Mandeville
- DeRidder
- Broussard
- Baker
- Slidell
- Zachary
- Carencro
Build East Baton Rouge (Build EBR) has been awarded a $10,000Community Public Art Grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts to support the creation of a community-driven mural at the City Hall Annex in the City of Zachary.
The project will transform a prominent public space at 4650 Main Street into a vibrant work of art that reflects the identity, culture, and pride of the Zachary community. In addition to enhancing the visual landscape, the mural is intended to support ongoing downtown revitalization efforts and foster meaningful community engagement through the arts.
Build EBR and City of Zachary will officially release a public Call for Artists on April 30, 2026, inviting qualified artists and artist teams to submit proposals for the design and installation of the mural. The opportunity is open to emerging and established artists, with preference given to those based in Louisiana and the surrounding region. Submissions will be accepted through May 30, 2026. The selected artist will be chosen through a competitive, community-informed process and will work closely with local stakeholders to develop a mural concept that reflects the voices and stories of Zachary residents.
In addition to the artist selection process, community members will have opportunities to share input and ideas that help shape the mural’s design, ensuring the final piece is both reflective of and meaningful to the people who live and work in Zachary.
“Public art is more than beautification, it is a reflection of who we are, what we value, and the stories that define our communities. This mural in Zachary represents an opportunity to center the voices of residents, celebrate local culture, and create a shared sense of place that people can see themselves in. At Build EBR, we are intentional about investing in projects that bring people together and contribute to vibrant, thriving communities, and this initiative does exactly that.” said Deidre Deculus Robert, President and CEO of Build Baton Rouge.
Zachary Mayor David McDavid added, “The City of Zachary is proud to invest in projects that bring our community together while celebrating what makes our city special,” said David McDavid, Mayor of the City of Zachary. “This mural will not only beautify our downtown but also serve as a lasting reflection of our shared history, creativity, and community spirit.”
This project will include opportunities for community engagement throughout the design and installation phases. The completed mural is anticipated by the end of 2026. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism.
About Build East Baton Rouge
Build East Baton Rouge is a redevelopment organization focused on driving equitable growth, revitalization, and community investment throughout Baton Rouge.
Media Contact:
Dexter Alexander
Community Real Estate and Land Bank Coordinator
Build East Baton Rouge
Dalexander@buildbatonrouge.org
Click Here for the Louisiana Division of the Arts grant guidelines
Click Here for the Build EBR Call for Artists RFP

The City of Zachary formally acknowledged several community organizations and volunteers during the Zachary City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 14th, for their outstanding contributions to community service and city beautification efforts.
Mayor David McDavid and the Zachary City Council honored FBC Zachary, First Baptist Church and its leadership, including Scott McKenzie and Project Leader Jeff Gould, for organizing a successful Community Service Day held on Saturday, March 21st. More than 100 volunteers participated in the initiative, completing a wide range of projects that significantly enhanced the community.
Volunteers painted the entire fence at the Zachary Public Cemetery, performed landscaping work such as weed eating and planting 92 daylilies, 48 rose bushes, and 15 Indian hawthorns, and added mulch to city-owned medians. Additional efforts included picking up litter throughout the city, assisting at the Zachary Food Pantry, and constructing a handicap ramp for a resident in need.
“Their willingness to serve and give back reflects the very best of Zachary,” said Mayor McDavid. “These efforts made a meaningful and lasting impact on our community.”
The City also recognized the Zachary Rotary Club, led by President Tamara Dayton, and the Zachary Men’s Club, led by Gaylen Montgomery and his officers, for their contributions to improvements at the Zachary Public Cemetery. The two organizations partnered to fund the sandblasting and repainting of the cemetery’s overhead sign, enhancing the appearance of one of the city’s busiest intersections.
In addition, Carl Snowden acknowledged the group during the meeting and shared remarks in appreciation of the volunteers’ efforts at the cemetery.
Special recognition was given to Sherwin-Williams for providing a generous discount on paint and supplies, helping to support the success of these projects.
The City of Zachary extends its sincere appreciation to all individuals and organizations involved for their dedication, generosity, and commitment to improving the community.

Mayor David McDavid and the Zachary City Council proudly recognized the Zachary High School Boys and Girls Basketball teams for their outstanding achievement in securing back-to-back Division 1 Non-Select State Championships. The 2026 championship teams were commended for their exceptional talent, dedication, and teamwork demonstrated throughout the season.
In celebration of their accomplishments, the City of Zachary hosted a BBQ chicken dinner at the Zachary Fire Department in honor of the teams. The event highlighted the strong community support behind Zachary athletics. Special thanks are extended to the Zachary Fire Department for preparing the donated chicken, Jett’s Country Kitchen for providing twice baked potatoes, and Lt. Alex Bonds for contributing cowboy beans.
“The success of these teams reflects not only their hard work, but also the pride and support of our entire community,” said Mayor McDavid.
The City of Zachary congratulates the 2026 champions and expresses its continued pride in their achievements both on and off the court.
Pictured above: Councilman John LeBlanc, Councilwoman Ambre DeVirgilio, Zachary District 3,Councilwoman Brandy Westmoreland, Coach Jon McClinton, Coach Tami McClure, Mayor David McDavid, Councilman Jennifer Boyd Councilwoman Zachary City Council District 5 and Councilman James Graves


The City of Zachary, in partnership with Waste Depot, will conduct its annual Spring Leaf Clean-Up on Monday and Tuesday, April 20–21, 2026. Waste Depot bulky trash trucks will be deployed throughout the community to assist residents with seasonal leaf disposal.
Residents are encouraged to participate by properly preparing their leaves for collection. All leaves must be placed in clear bags and set curbside to ensure efficient pickup. Loose leaves will not be collected.
This initiative plays an important role in maintaining the city’s infrastructure. Properly bagging leaves helps prevent clogged storm drains and reduces the risk of street flooding as spring rain showers approach.
City officials emphasize the importance of community participation in keeping Zachary clean, safe, and visually appealing.
For additional information, residents may contact the City of Zachary at 225 654-1902.
The City of Zachary is honored to be named to Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation’s “Safest 70” list, recognizing the top safest businesses across Louisiana.
This achievement highlights our continued commitment to injuryprevention and creating a safe, secure workplace for every employee.
“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 David McDavid.
Learn more about this recognition and see the full list here: https://hubs.li/Q045TKh80
#SafetyFirst #EmployeesFirst #LWCC

The City of Zachary recently partnered with the Zachary Rotary Club to install a 700-foot sidewalk along Avenue A from Rollins Road to E. Central Avenue.
This new sidewalk provides a safer route for students walking between Northwestern Middle School and nearby neighborhood streets. It also improves access for residents walking to important community resources such as the Zachary Food Pantry, the Zachary Men’s Club, and the Community Park on Rollins Road.
Mayor McDavid said the dedicated pedestrian path will help reduce the risk of accidents between pedestrians and vehicles while providing safer, more reliable access to education, food assistance, and recreation.
The Zachary Rotary Club secured a district grant to help support the project, which also encourages walking and physical activity to promote better community health. The City of Zachary completed the construction work, including pouring the concrete and installing the sidewalk. During the project, crews were also able to improve drainage at the corner of Rollins Road and Avenue A.
Funding for the project included a $2,000 contribution from the Rotary District Designated Fund (DDF) and a $2,000 match from the Zachary Rotary Club. The City of Zachary provided $37,608 toward the project, bringing the total investment to $41,608.
Pictured L to R - Construction crew (yellow), and Rotarians, Sharon Phillips, Chloe McCleary, Carl Herrick, Lisa Rioux, President, Tamara Dayton, Francis Nezianya, Jason Venable, Marty Hughes, Jr. and Mayor David McDavid



Mayor David McDavid is pleased to announce the appointment of Gordon Lipscomb as the new Fire Chief for the City of Zachary, effective today, February 5, 2026.
Chief Lipscomb brings more than 21 years of experience in the fire service and a strong commitment to public safety, leadership, and service to the citizens of Zachary. His extensive background and dedication to the profession will be instrumental in continuing to strengthen the Zachary Fire Department and ensuring the highest level of protection for the community.
“I am confident that Chief Lipscomb is the right person to lead the Zachary Fire Department,” said Mayor David McDavid. “He will move the department into the future while building upon the strong foundation established through his long and distinguished career with the Zachary Fire Department.”
Mayor McDavid expressed full confidence in Chief Lipscomb’s ability to lead the department forward and to uphold the City’s longstanding tradition of excellence in fire and emergency services.
The City of Zachary congratulates Chief Lipscomb on his appointment and looks forward to his leadership and continued service to the community.

