THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, N ov e m b e r 19, 2025
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12TH YEAR, NO. 6
Council approves raises for elected officials BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
When Zachary’s next mayor, police chief and city council members take office in January 2027, they’ll be in line for higher salaries than what those officials currently earn.
That’s after the City Council approved an ordinance raising elected leaders’ pay for the first time in several years. The decision came after much debate at previous meetings that continued when the council gathered to vote on the measure Nov. 10. After the next election, the
mayor will receive a starting annual salary of $110,000 — a $25,000 raise over the current $85,000. The police chief also will see a sizable increase in starting pay, going from $69,000 to $100,000. The ordinance stipulates higher salaries for returning officeholders. A second-
term mayor will be paid $114,000, and a police chief serving a second term will earn $105,000. Council members will earn $15,000 a year, with a jump to $17,000 in a subsequent term. They currently start at $10,414. All officials will be eligible
for annual increases outlined in the ordinance, which also includes maximum salary caps. The council, however, will not be able to participate in city insurance — disappointing a couple of members who had hoped to include that perk. Previous drafts of the
ordinance presented to the council included lower starting salaries. The original version called for setting the mayor’s base pay at $108,200, the police chief at $89,100 and council members at $12,950.
ä See RAISES, page 2G
Voters turn down proposal to give teacher raises
BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
Voters on Saturday rejected the Zachary Community School District’s Zachary Forward proposal, which would have reallocated an existing property tax to give local teachers their first substantial pay raise in years. According to election results from the Louisiana secretary of state’s office, 52% of voters said “no” to the tax proposal. A total of 4,441 people cast ballots, a turnout of 24.4%. The Zachary Forward measure would have given the school system access to money generated by a 24-mill property tax that was created to build new schools in Zachary’s nascent days as an independent district. With no plans for additional school construction on the horizon, Superintendent Ben Necaise wanted voters’ permission to spend the funds instead on pay raises for teachers and staff, facility maintenance and technology upgrades. Residents’ tax bills would not have changed. Necaise has said that, if the measure did not pass, he would still find a way to increase employees’ salaries — something he believes is long overdue and necessary to keep Zachary competitive with neighboring districts. Speaking to the City Council in September, Necaise said he hoped to boost teachers’ annual salaries by $10,000 raise and support workers by $5,000. Without the tax funds, however, any raises would likely force cuts in other areas. That could mean larger classes, fewer bus stops, more activity fees and deferred building maintenance, Necaise told the council. “We respect the decision of our voters, and we are grateful for the conversation this initiative inspired,” the district wrote in a statement posted on Facebook late Saturday night. “Our commitment to compensating and retaining high-quality educators will not change, and we will continue to concentrate our efforts on compensation, competitive pay and benefits for our employees as we develop future budgets.” The results of the Zachary election mirrored a parishwide anti-tax sentiment. Voters also defeated Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ Thrive EBR plan — which, similar to the Zachary item, would have involved renewing three existing millages and shifting a portion of their funds to other parts of the city-parish budget.
PHOTOS BY SONYA GOSS
Zachary Learning Academy second grader, Joelle Jones, 8, honors her father during the Veterans Day Parade in Zachary on Nov. 11.
SALUTE TO VETERANS Despite chilly temperatures, Zachary residents came out on ä More photos. Veterans Day to honor those who PAGE 4G served in the military. Albert ‘Doc’ Ory was grand marshal of the parade.
A group of women called Charlee’s Angels prepares to participate in the Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Gathering, from left, are Charlene Soileau Bolton, Doris Allemand, Kathi Ayres, Kate Tacey and Nancy Jones Perkins.
Classic cars roll through the Zachary for the Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.
Seasonal rush includes giving thanks Leila Pitchford AROUND ZACHARY
Today’s list of area events is very Christmas heavy. But we still have Thanksgiving to observe. So take a moment to note these activities on your calendar then pause and think of what you can give thanks for this year.
Dec. 6 Christmas parade The 2025 Zachary Christmas Parade will be themed “Christmas Movie Spectacular.” It will roll at 10 a.m. Dec. 6 from Rouses on Church Street to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Entry fee is $100, and the deadline to apply for a spot in the parade is Nov. 17. Sign up at forms. office.com/r/b8qkhsEujS.
Black pot cooking contest set Downtown Live at The Gazebo is holding its inaugural Bayou Black Pot Cook-off on Dec. 6 during the Zachary Christmas Parade Downtown. Each team chooses what goes in their dish. Awards will be presented for first, second and third place along with a People’s Choice Award.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Playoff time for Broncos, who take on Denham Springs in round two The Zachary Bronco (6-3) finished the 2025 regular season with back-to-back losses to put what one would anticipate would be a morale-killer going into the Division I nonselect playoffs. The Broncos secured the 13 seed and hosted the 20-seed Salmen Spartans (6-4) on Nov. 14 at the Bronco Corral. The Spartans entered the game on a high note after winning the District 7-5A championship the previous week over Chalmette riding the arm and legs of junior quarterback Da’John Howard.
Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
In the district championship game, Howard threw and rushed for over 300 yards and accounted for three touchdowns. The only
ä See BRADY, page 2G