What Chattamatters… Why Do We Have a City AND County Mayor?

When it comes to the civics of the Scenic City… One of the most frequently asked questions is: “Why do we have both a City and a County Mayor?”

In the conversation below, Gino D and Mary Helen Montgomery of Chattamatters will clarify the distinctions between the roles and responsibilities of the City Mayor—currently Tim Kelly—and the County Mayor—Weston Wamp.

The lines of authority can often feel blurred, especially when major decisions impact both the city and the wider county. By shedding light on these differences, the interview will help explain the governance structure for residents and provide insights into how local leaders collaborate to address community needs.

We will discover how the city and county mayors play unique, yet complementary, roles in managing local affairs.

The City Mayor oversees municipal services, city planning, and urban development, while the County Mayor has authority over a broader jurisdiction that includes rural areas, countywide services, and regional planning. Understanding these functions is crucial, as it fosters greater civic engagement and equips residents with the knowledge to navigate local governance more effectively.

As this dynamic is not unique to Chattanooga but prevalent across the state of Tennessee, the conversation will also explore how similar relationships between city and county leaders play out in other communities.

For those eager to learn more about the civics of our city visit CHATTAMATTERS.COM  and make sure to follow Chattamatters on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok!