List of mayors of Chattanooga, Tennessee Facts for Kids

This page lists the mayors of Chattanooga, Tennessee. A mayor is the leader of a city government. They help make important decisions and lead the city's projects. Tim Kelly is the current mayor of Chattanooga. He started his job on April 19, 2021, at the Tivoli Theatre.

How Chattanooga's Mayors Have Led the City
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How Chattanooga's Mayors Have Led the City

Chattanooga has had different ways of governing its city over the years. This means the mayor's job and how the city was run changed a few times. Let's look at the main systems.

The Early Aldermen System (1840-1911)

When Chattanooga first became a city, it used an "aldermen system." In this system, the city was led by a mayor and a group of elected officials called aldermen. The aldermen were like city council members today. They helped the mayor make rules and manage the city.

First Mayor: The very first mayor of Chattanooga was James Enfield Berry, who started in 1840.
Short Terms: For a long time, mayors in this system usually served one-year terms. Some mayors were elected many times in a row.
Civil War Time: During the American Civil War, from 1863 to 1865, the United States Army took direct control of Chattanooga. There was no elected mayor during this time.
Notable Mayors:

* Dr. Milo Smith served many terms, showing how people trusted him to lead. * Henry Clay Evans was a mayor who later became a U.S. Congressman.

The City Commission System (1911-1990)

In 1911, Chattanooga changed its government to a "city commission system." In this system, a group of commissioners, including the mayor, ran the city. Each commissioner was in charge of a different part of the city's services, like police or public works. The mayor was one of these commissioners and also the main leader.

Longer Terms: Mayors in this system often served four-year terms, which allowed them more time to work on city projects.
Longest Serving Mayor: Edward Davis "E.D." Bass was a mayor during this period. He served for 20 years, from 1927 to 1947, which is the longest term for any Chattanooga mayor.
Acting Mayors: Sometimes, if a mayor couldn't finish their term, an "acting" mayor would step in for a short time.

The City Council System (Since 1990)

Since 1990, Chattanooga has used a "city council system." This is a common way many cities are run today. In this system, the mayor is the chief executive, meaning they lead the city's day-to-day operations and manage city departments. The city council is a separate group of elected officials who make laws and approve the city's budget.

Modern Era: This system is still in place today.
Recent Mayors:

* Bob Corker served as mayor before becoming a U.S. Senator. * Andy Berke was mayor for eight years, focusing on community and economic growth. * The current mayor, Tim Kelly, began his term in 2021.

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