In The News
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.
🎭 Mardi Gras Schedule Update – Zachary Residents 🎭
🚫 NO BULKY-WASTE PICKUP on Mardi Gras Day (Tuesday, February 17)
Please be advised that the Waste Depot will not run on Tuesday, February 17 (Mardi Gras Day).
🗓 Instead, bulky-waste service for the entire City of Zachary will take place on Monday, February 16.
👉 Residents are asked to place all bulky-waste items at the curb Sunday night to ensure pickup.
✅ Garbage and recycling pickup will NOT be affected — this change applies to bulky waste only.
Thank you for your cooperation, and we hope everyone has a safe, fun, and festive Mardi Gras! 💜💛💚
The Planning & Zoning Commission will host a public workshop on Wednesday, January 28, from 6:00–8:00 PM at City Hall to review and discuss the final draft of the City of Zachary’s Master Plan.
This is a great opportunity for residents and community members to share feedback, ask questions, and learn what’s next as the City moves toward final adoption of the plan. 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
📧 Questions? Email Calesia.anderson@cityofzachary.org
The Zachary City Council unanimously selected Councilwoman Brandy Westmoreland to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for a one-year term during its meeting on January 13, 2026.
Mayor Pro Tempore Westmoreland is a lifelong resident of Zachary and was elected to the Zachary City Council in November 2022. Prior to her service on the City Council, she represented District 2 on the Zachary Community School Board from 2016 to 2022.
With 29 years of experience in the banking industry, Westmoreland currently serves as Executive Vice President at Landmark Bank. She is a graduate of LSU’s Graduate School of Banking, Leadership North, and Louisiana Technical College–Folkes Campus, and is a proud graduate of Zachary High School.
Mayor Pro Tempore Westmoreland is highly involved in civic and community service. She serves on the GSBLSU Advisory Board, is a chamber ambassador, and has previously held leadership roles as president and treasurer of the Zachary Rotary Club. Her dedication to the community has been recognized with several honors, including Zachary Business Woman of the Year in 2018 and City of Zachary Volunteer of the Year in 2013.
She is married to her husband, Dustin Westmoreland, and they have two daughters, Abigail and Chloe, and one grandson, Tripp. Westmoreland is a member of Galilee Baptist Church, where she serves as Children’s Director.
The City of Zachary would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and inform residents that, in observance of New Year’s Day, an official City of Zachary holiday, all city government offices will be closed on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Garbage and Recycling Collection Notice
Solid waste and recycling services provided by Waste Management will not be collected on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Adjusted Collection Schedule:
- Thursday customers will be serviced on Friday, January 2
- Friday customers will be serviced on Saturday, January 3
Residents are asked to place their containers out according to the adjusted schedule.
The City of Zachary appreciates the public’s cooperation and wishes everyone a safe, happy, and festive New Year.
🎄✨ Step into the magic of the 2025 Zachary Christmas Parade, themed “Christmas Movie Spectacular!” Hosted by MCs Sharon Phillips and Thomas Scott, with special interviews featuring Mayor David McDavid.
Thank you to all of our amazing parade entries! We hope you enjoy every moment as much as we loved bringing this joyful celebration to you. Merry Christmas from the City of Zachary! 🎬🎅✨
Click here to watch the parade!
City of Zachary – Downtown Live Committee
The City of Zachary celebrated an exciting new tradition on Saturday, December 6th, as the Downtown Live Committee hosted the 1st Annual Bayou Black Pot Cook-Off immediately following the Zachary Christmas Parade. The event proved to be an overwhelming success, bringing families, friends, and food enthusiasts together in the heart of Downtown Zachary.
Following the parade, attendees visited Old Town Hall and the City Annex to sample a variety of flavorful dishes prepared by local teams. With a $5 sampling wristband, guests were able to taste every pot and cast their vote for their favorite. Entries were judged on Presentation, Aroma, Texture, and Taste, with all proceeds benefitting Downtown Live at the Gazebo and future free community concerts.
Adding to the excitement, visitors were also invited to select the Best Decorated Booth, enhancing the festive atmosphere with creativity and community spirit. The welcoming setup—complete with tables, chairs, and holiday charm—helped create a warm and inviting space for residents to gather and enjoy the day.
The Zachary Downtown Live Committee extends sincere appreciation to everyone who came out to support this inaugural event. Paired with the Farmers Market, the cook-off brought something special to parade day, giving families a reason to come early and stay late. The committee remains committed to fostering community connection while celebrating Zachary’s small-town charm.
“As long as the community continues to enjoy this friendly competition, we will keep working to grow it bigger and better each year,” the committee shared.
🏆 2025 Bayou Black Pot Cook-Off Results
1st Place Champion (First picture)
🥇 Country Boys Roux
Team Captain: Danton Rucker
Dish: Turkey Sauce Picante
Runner-Up (Fourth picture)
🥈 Hebert’s Cast Iron Crew
Team Captain: Chad Hebert
Dish: Taco Soup
Best Booth Presentation (Second picture - Santa Suit)
🎨 Inferneaux
Team Captain: Chris Dear
Dish: Bow Tie Alaya
People’s Choice (Fourth picture)
⭐ Hebert’s Cast Iron Crew
Team Captain: Chad Hebert
Dish: Taco Soup
The City of Zachary and the Downtown Live Committee thank all participants, volunteers, and attendees for making the 1st Annual Bayou Black Pot Cook-Off a memorable success. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year!
Christmas is an official City of Zachary holiday. All City of Zachary government offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, and Thursday, December 25, 2025 in observance of the holiday.
Please note the following changes to solid waste and recycling collection provided by Waste Management within the City of Zachary:
There will be no garbage or recycling collection on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th.
Waste Management has announced the following adjusted route schedule due to the holiday:
- Thursday routes will be collected on Friday, December 26
- Friday routes will be collected on Saturday, December 27
The City of Zachary wishes everyone a safe and joyful holiday season. Happy Holidays!
Representatives from Waste Management and the City of Zachary Public Works Department recently visited students at Zachary Elementary School to share an engaging and educational lesson on the importance of recycling and environmental stewardship.
During the visit, students received Waste Management–branded pencils, notepads, and seed packets, helping spark conversations about sustainability and how small actions can create big impacts.
Donald Haines with WM Marketing delivered an inspiring message, stating, “It’s about building a better tomorrow. It’s about planting seeds and trees. It’s about picking up your trash, recycling, and keeping a clean environment in your community.”
Students also enjoyed an up-close look at the new WM Smart Truck and had the opportunity to speak with the driver. The Smart Truck features advanced technology that improves the reliability of recycling pickups while reducing pollution—showcasing innovation in action.
The visit highlighted the role young people can play in protecting their environment and reinforced the City of Zachary’s ongoing commitment to a cleaner, greener community.
Pictured (L to R): Donald Haines, WM Marketing; Twila Guerin, City of Zachary Public Works Department; Domontreal Porter, Driver; and Sara Sanders, WM Operations Manager.
The City of Zachary is pleased to announce the availability of a new, free Business Startup Guide designed to assist aspiring entrepreneurs in launching their businesses with confidence.
The guide can be picked up at the Zachary City Annex, located at 4650 Main Street. This comprehensive resource provides step-by-step instructions for opening a business in Zachary—whether you’re planning to launch a restaurant, establish a home-based business, or open a retail storefront.
“Our goal is to make starting a business in Zachary as seamless as possible,” said city officials. “This guide offers clear direction for every stage of the process.”
Residents and prospective business owners are encouraged to visit the Economic Development Office, also located at the City Annex, for additional assistance. Staff are available to answer questions and help identify suitable locations for new businesses.
For more information, please contact the City of Zachary Economic Development Office at 4650 Main Street.
Let’s continue building a stronger Zachary—together.