Zachary voters rejected an amendment to the city’s home rule charter that would have tightened council member residency requirements and loosened such requirements for department heads.
The measure failed Saturday by a margin of 60% to 40%, with just under 2,500 residents voting. The city last amended its home rule charter in 2010.
Mayor David McDavid called the results "disappointing" but looked toward the future.
"We're going to continue working hard for the citizens of Zachary to make this a great place to live, to own a business and ... open a business up here," he added.
Under current ordinances, council members may move outside their district and continue to hold office up to 180 days after their residency changes. The proposition would have eliminated that provision.
Meanwhile, the proposed amendment would have removed a requirement that government department heads live within the city’s boundaries.
It would also have adjusted the city’s budget procedures, reducing budget proposal timelines from 60 to 45 days. Another proposal would have made 90% of the previous year’s budget the default should the council not approve a new budget.