St. George Mayor Dustin Yates says 2025 was the year the city truly became real.
Just one year ago, St. George was building a government from the ground up. Today, the city is fully operational. It now handles planning, zoning, permitting, code enforcement, and public works. For residents, the change has been immediate and visible.
One major milestone was establishing permanent city operations. After starting out in leased space at a fire station, St. George moved into its own city hall facility near Sherwood Common. The building may be modest, but Yates says it is functional and allows staff to serve residents efficiently. Council chambers renovations are planned for early 2026.
Public works marked another turning point. The city now operates its own department, complete with a headquarters off Jefferson Highway, new equipment, and dedicated staff. Yates says this shift ended the transition phase and cemented St. George as a fully functioning city. The impact is tangible. A reported pothole was inspected and filled the same day. That kind of response, Yates says, defines the new standard.
Financially, St. George now retains 100 percent of its local sales tax revenue. Full remittance began July 1, following a phased transition with East Baton Rouge Parish. Those dollars are now reinvested directly into city services and infrastructure.
Public safety has also evolved. The city partnered with the sheriff’s office, added license plate reader technology, and introduced a third-party response team for minor vehicle accidents. The approach reduces strain on law enforcement while improving response times. Residents, Yates says, have responded positively.
Looking ahead, the focus turns to education. An independent school district proposal will go before voters in May. Yates says a detailed plan is coming early in the year, with a clear message: St. George is ready to take the next step.
For Yates, the year’s success comes down to teamwork. A first-time council, unified in vision, worked collaboratively rather than combatively. That culture, he says, sets St. George apart.
In 2025, St. George didn’t just form a city. It proved it could run one.