(The Center Square) – Shane Cheatham, nominated by Bossier Mayor Tommy Chandler to manage the city, secured the city council’s approval on Tuesday for the position of chief administrative officer.
The unanimous vote came several years after a largely different city council balked when Chandler named him CAO, leading Cheatham to withdraw from consideration. At the time, he was serving as a District 1 councilman but stepped down in order to accept Chandler’s nomination.
On Tuesday, council members spoke in favor of Cheatham and encouraged the mayor to select staff who he can work with and trusts.
“I finally got him, and I’m so glad that he’s going to be here to work with me,” Chandler said. “It really means a lot to me and Shane to see the support that he has.”
Cheatham will support the mayor in day-to-day administration and management of city government functions, act as his top administrative aide, help implement policies and directives and coordinate activities.
“My top priorities would be to work alongside the mayor supporting our city employees and partnering with this council to continue to move Bossier City forward in a way that is practical, fiscally responsible and respectful to the people who call it home,” Cheatham said after the vote.
His salary remains unclear. The Center Square was unable to reach the mayor’s office or a city spokesperson to confirm his pay prior to publication. The previous chief administrative officer, Amanda Nottingham, had an annual salary of $102,792 in 2023, according to government watchdog Open the Books. Nottingham resigned from the position earlier this year.
Cheatham owns a real estate company and smartphone retail and repair business, according to his resume.
At the state’s Office of Rural Development, he served as Region 7 director, responsible for 10 north Louisiana parishes.
“He’s worked for Gov. Landry for the past two years, and Gov. Landry and Deputy Chief of Staff Kyle Ardoin have both voiced how much of a loss it will be for them to lose this individual; to me, this says pretty much everything that we need to know about this individual coming from a state level,” said Councilman Brian Hammons, who represents District 1.
