Mayor and Council Members
Mayor: Ken Wilber Vice-Mayor: Jody McDowell
Alderman: Luther Bratton, Mike Callis, Tim Coker, Brian Harbin,
Melvin Minnis, & Steve White
The City of Portland is a Private Act Charter Municipality – meaning that the Charter provides for the specific powers, duties and responsibilities of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen (a/k/a City Council). Private Act Charter Municipalities make up more than 60% of all 351 of Tennessee’s cities.
Although Portland’s first Mayor was elected in May of 1905, Portland’s Private Act Charter was not established until 1939 by action of the Legislature of the State of Tennessee, defining the duties of the Mayor and Board of seven Aldermen (City Council members).
Adoption of City Ordinance #12-10 (in 2012) changed the date of the city election from the 1st Tuesday of May every 2 years, to the :
1st Tuesday of November to coincide with the general election, beginning in 2014.
Portland's Mayor is elected to a four-year term. Three of the seven city council seats are filled in the same city election as that of the Mayor; each to four-year terms. The remaining four seats are up for election to four-year terms in the next election cycle. This election method is referred to as 'staggered terms' and was intended to retain experienced people in office at all times.
The Mayor and City Council meets in regularly scheduled monthly sessions in the Council Room at Portland City Hall.
Link To City Monthly Meeting Calendar