Mayor· 2025-07-01 – 2029-06-30 (elected in the 2025 St. George municipal elections per WAFB and The Advocate: won the March 29, 2025 election; sworn in July 1, 2025 per WBRZ; officers take office the first day of July following their election and hold office four years per La. R.S. § 33:383 subsec. A.1 as read on legis.la.gov; ends June 30, 2029)
Dustin Yates
St. George
About
Dustin Yates ran his mayoral campaign on bringing a 'revolution of new government' to St. George. Following the defeat of the breakaway school district amendment, his administration has also focused on alternative educational solutions, including plans to open a charter school by August 2028.
Campaign promises (2)
- educationMayor Dustin Yates and the city of St. George plan to open a charter school by August 2028.
- transparencyDustin Yates pledged a 'revolution of new government' upon winning the St. George mayor's race.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 1
- Total speaking time
- 8:05
- Avg per meeting
- 8:05
- Segments
- 195
Want every word Yates has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Yates said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Home occupations zoning rules
Pending litigation over rezoning and Baton Rouge annexations
Damages are being sought against the city, so there's potential financial exposure.
Uber ride subsidy partnership
Not yet disclosed; the pilot program details will be presented at the August 19 meeting.
St. George Civic Complex at Long Farm
No dollar figures given; the plan shifts residential density and civic space in the development.
Gas station regulations in the Unified Development Code
No direct city cost; developers told staff four pumps made projects infeasible and wanted six to eight.
Country Manor cut-through traffic and speed bumps
City-funded installation of speed bumps per its subdivision traffic policy.
Economic Development District No. 1
New taxes levied within the district boundaries would be used to pay for economic development projects there.
Live oak tree protections
Property owners could face replacement planting costs or contributions to a city tree fund if they remove a significant tree.
Perkins Road residential-to-commercial transition
Neighbors worry a largely paved office development on a low, flood-prone tract could push water onto adjoining homes and lower property values.
Willow Grove drainage and the Kleinpeter development
The city already spent over $20,000 fixing one drainage defect, and new development could add runoff to an overwhelmed 24-inch pipe.
Comprehensive plan adoption
2026–2027 budget and public hearing
About $2.3 million surplus so far this fiscal year, on top of a $19.6 million surplus last year.
Giovanni Square redevelopment
Southern Shenandoah flood control project
None stated; a $20 million grant to the city was also announced this month.
Insurance premium tax retention
Could affect insurance premium tax revenue collected within the city — exact amounts not stated.
Disorderly place enforcement expansion
First-year results of on-scene services and homelessness initiative
State funding for Manchac Fountain detention and Jefferson Highway drainage projects
State-allocated dollars from the last legislative session will fund the projects rather than local money.
Planning and Zoning Commission expansion
Rezoning of LRK, LLC tracts for planned VA clinic
The rezoning itself has no direct tax cost to residents; the clinic project brings development to the Pecou Lane and Reiger Road area.
Decisions during term (89)
Recorded while Yates was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.