On July 1, 2025, Mayor Tommy Chandler and a new council were installed for the City of Bossier City, marking one of the largest new classes of council members for the city as four new faces took the oath of office: Craton Cochran, Joel Girouard, Debra Ross and Cliff Smith. Returning to the council for a second term for each are: Brian Hammons, Vince Maggio and Chris Smith.
Mayor Chandler, who also begins his second term, said he remains committed to many of the principles of his first term: to keep crime down, to listen to the residents of the city, and continue the growth of Bossier City.
“As we move into this new chapter of Bossier City government, citizens can expect us to be efficient and focused. We as leaders will provide transparency and accountability because this is what the citizens of Bossier City deserve,” Chandler said.
As the new council was ushered in, June 30 marked the last day for four councilmen who served the City of Bossier City for many years: Jeffrey Darby, Jeff Free, David Montgomery and “Bubba” Don Williams. Throughout their tenures, Bossier City has grown exponentially and seen many great projects like the establishment of the National Cyber Research Park and the Cyber Innovation Center, the continued growth and campus expansion of Bossier Parish Community College and the revitalization of Bossier’s downtown into the East Bank District.
During the new council’s first meeting, Chris Smith said they are "a unified council".
Today, July 1, the Bossier City Council approved to:
- Elect Chris Smith as Bossier City Council President
- Elect Joel Girouard as Bossier City Council Vice President
- Adopt ordinance for subdivision entrance signs and residential message boards, to include provisions for digital signs
- Introduce an ordinance to establish a tax reduction audit of municipal finances, to require an initial audit of the preceding twelve fiscal years, which Council President Chris Smith said would give the Council intimate knowledge of the budget and the City’s financial position.
- Adopt resolution to add City Council president to the approval workflow of payments issued to individuals for legal settlements (amended)
- Adopt resolution to establish an investigative committee to review the use of public funds for parking lots at Scot’s Audio and Bossier Power Equipment and to report findings to the City Council.
- Adopt resolution to establish standing committees for Bossier City Council to promote efficient governance, oversight, and policy development.
- Adopt resolution to establish three permanent committees for Bossier City Council: budget and oversight; infrastructure; and community needs.