Bossier City, La. — As his first term as Mayor of Bossier City draws to a close, Mayor Tommy Chandler has released a public statement reflecting on key accomplishments over the past four years and outlining his goals for a second term in office.
In a letter dated June 24, 2025, Chandler described his first term as a time of “promises fulfilled,” while emphasizing that the work is far from over. “With my second term on the horizon, I am looking forward to building on these accomplishments while pursuing new goals, with excellence as the standard for everything I do,” he wrote.
First-Term Highlights
Among the mayor’s top achievements during his first term:
- Appointment of a City Engineer – The previously vacant role was filled, bringing professional oversight to public infrastructure projects.
- No-Kill Animal Shelter Status – Bossier City Animal Services, with the help of staff, volunteers, and community partners, achieved the no-kill designation, marking a major milestone for the facility.
- Police Department Staffing – Chandler worked alongside public safety leadership to improve staffing levels, reaching a 97% staffing rate for the Bossier City Police Department.
- Support for Term Limits – The mayor reiterated his support for term limits, aligning with citizens who successfully pushed for their implementation in city government.
- Employee Pay Raises – Citing the dedication of city staff, Chandler highlighted the approval of long-overdue pay increases for municipal employees.
- Efficiency in Government – Chandler emphasized a business-minded approach to governance, targeting operational improvements across city departments to better manage taxpayer dollars.
- Citywide Clean-Up Efforts – Cleanliness and beautification initiatives were prioritized throughout his term, with a continued focus on community pride.
- Community Engagement – Drawing inspiration from a quote by Mother Teresa, Chandler spoke of building relationships to achieve meaningful, long-term progress for the city.
Second-Term Priorities
Looking ahead, Chandler shared several focus areas for his upcoming term:
- “Blight to Bright” Initiative – Plans include evaluating the Public Works Department and proposing increased funding in the 2026 budget to expand city-wide cleaning efforts, including the use of contracted services to address blighted areas.
- New Facility for Council on Aging – Chandler is actively pursuing the acquisition of a facility to house the Council on Aging and provide additional office space for other agencies, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Business Development and Revitalization – With an emphasis on keeping Bossier City “business-friendly,” the mayor pledged continued support for local businesses, including efforts to revitalize vacant commercial properties. He also noted recent meetings with stakeholders at the Louisiana Boardwalk and Pierre Bossier Mall to support redevelopment and new business recruitment.
“As I look back on the past four years, I am proud of what we’ve accomplished—but this is just the beginning,” Chandler said.
The mayor’s office indicated that more announcements and updates on these initiatives are expected as planning continues into the next term.