Mayor

I am Mayor Ricky Shelton, and I would like to welcome you to the City of Cookeville. Thank you for visiting our website, I hope you find it informative. I am very proud to call Cookeville home, and honored to be serving the citizens along with my fellow Council members. I would like to share some helpful information on our great city.

The City of Cookeville operates under a Council-Manager form of government. Five City Council members are elected at –large to serve a four year term. Council members elect the Mayor; historically the member that receives the highest number of votes is elected by the Council. The Mayor presides over Council meetings and conducts other official duties as described in the city charter. City Council meetings are held the first and third Thursday of each month in the Cookeville Municipal Building located at 45 East Broad Street. Additional meetings and work sessions are called when necessary to conduct public business. These meetings are open to the public, and is an opportunity for citizens to be involved in the decision making process for our city. We welcome those who would like to attend as we work to make Cookeville an even greater place to live and work.

Cookeville is a well-diversified community of approximately 31,000 and continues to experience positive growth. In recognizing that growth, and in an effort to prepare for the future, the City completed the 2030 Plan. The Cookeville 2030 Plan is a 20-year comprehensive plan for future growth and development of our city and it’s Urban Growth Boundary. The 2030 Plan contains analysis and evaluations of many of the factors that will affect the future of the City that includes municipal finances, socio-economic conditions, the environment and natural factors, existing development, utilities and transportation. The plan also establishes specific goals, objectives, and policies to guide in the future development of the City. The 2030 Plan can be viewed on this website under the tab for the Planning Department.

Quality of life for residents is of great importance to me. Being a lifelong resident of Cookeville, and choosing to raise my family here, I recognize all the wonderful aspects of our city that enhance our quality of life. We have a great downtown area that is home to one of the many City maintained recreational parks, Dogwood Park. Dogwood Park continues to have enhancement projects, and we highly anticipate the future addition of a playground that is accessible to all children. Our historic downtown area offers something for all ages. Within a short walking distance, you will find an array of shopping and dining, as well as an opportunity to visit multiple museums. The Depot Museum offers a look back in time, while continuing to welcome visitors on train excursions. You can learn more about our community in the Cookeville History Museum, which houses an ever-changing display of local artifacts. We have multiple outlets for the arts in Cookeville, the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, the Performing Arts Center, concerts and performances at the Dogwood Park Pavilion as well as local galleries and shops. Quality of life includes many things, including access to healthy living, safety, job creation and community involvement. The Department of Leisure Services offers many fitness and wellness programs, as well as summer camps and seasonal activities. Cookeville Police and Fire Departments work tirelessly to keep our community and residents safe, while being actively involved with citizens’ academies and youth programs. The City of Cookeville continues to thrive as a regional hub while promoting economic development, seeing new jobs in our community, as well as the growth of current businesses and industry.

I encourage everyone, residents and visitors, to experience all our great city has to offer, whether it’s recreation, educational, dining or shopping. If I may be of assistance to you, please feel free to visit City Hall, contact me by telephone at 931-520-5241 or by e-mail at rshelton@cookeville-tn.org.

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