FULTON, KENTUCKY
Founded 1859, Incorporated 1872
The History of Fulton
The Chickasaw Indians were the first known inhabitants of what is now Western Kentucky and Northwestern Tennessee with the name, Pontotoc, which means the “Land of the Hanging Grapes.” In 1811, Andrew Jackson purchased thousands of acres that came to be known as the Jackson Purchase. The earliest records of Fulton were dated back to 1828, when Benjamin Franklin Carr acquired a land grant for 150 acres.
The first railroad deed was sold in 1857, and construction reached Pontotoc in 1859. At that time Fulton was referred to as the “end of the line” by the United States Government and all mail was addressed to this extent. In 1896, the Illinois Central Railroad owned the two railroad lines that crossed Fulton, which saw 30 passenger trains a day and
3,000 freight cars that picked up or delivered cargo. The freight cars would usually have bananas that would stop in Fulton to be
re-iced and then shipped to rest of the country. Through this process, Fulton became know as the "Banana Capital of the World".
The railroad is still an important part of Fulton moving two thousand cars a day. Today, the interstate system has become the greatest asset to the city. The interstate system has allowed the people of Fulton to diversify and come from all parts of the country to make their homes in Fulton.
Source: Chamber of Commerce of the Twin Cities
Organizational Structure of City Government
The City of Fulton uses an organizational structure known as The Commission Plan. Under this plan there is an elected officer who is called the mayor and four elected commissioners. With the mayor and the commission creates the city commission. The Commission Plan allows for the executive, administrative, and legislative authority of the city that is exercised by the city commission. Along with The Commission Plan there is a Manager Plan. This plan allows for the City Manager to have day-to-day responsibilities of the city while the commission is not meeting.
Elected Officials
The Mayor
1. Qualifications to be Candidate
In order to be a candidate for mayor, a person must be a resident of the city for not less than one year prior to the election
2. Qualifications to Hold Office
a. Must be 25 years of age, or older
b. Be a qualified voter in the city
c. Reside in the city throughout the term of office
3. Duties and Responsibilities of the Mayor in a Commission and Manager Plan
a. Preside at meetings of the legislative body
b. Call special meetings of the legislative body
c. Make and sign all bonds, notes contracts, and written obligations of the city
d. Acts as the ceremonial head of the city government and is recognized as the head of the city government by the Governor for purpose of military law
Legislative Body/Commissioners
1. Qualifications to be a Candidate
A person must be a resident of the city for not less than one year before the election.
2. Qualifications to Hold Office
a. Must be 21 years of age or older
b. Be a qualified voter in the city
c. Reside in the city throughout the term of office
3. Duties and Authorities of Legislative Bodies within the Commission and Manger Plan
The legislative body has all of the powers except for,
a. There is no veto power
b. No power to disapprove regulations promulgated by the mayor
Non-elected City Officials
City Clerk
1. Duties and Responsibilities
a. Maintenance and safekeeping of permanent records of the city
b. Possession of the seal of the city
c. Performance of all duties required of the city clerk by statute or ordinance
2. Tenure
a. Hired for an indefinite term; no fixed term of office is authorized
b. Serves as the executive authority
City Manager
1. Appointment
a. Must be appointed by the Board of Commissioners for indefinite term.
2. Status
a. Is the chief executive/administrative officer of the city
b. Exercises the executive powers and functions delegated by statute and ordinance
c. Directly responsible to the Board of Commission
3. Duties and Responsibilities
a. Enforce the city manager plan, city ordinances and statutes
b. Prepare, present and administer the annual budget
c. Maintain liaison with related units of local government relative to interlocal contracting and joint activities
d. Supervise all departments of the city
e. Recommend to the Board of Commissioners appointments, removal, and discipline of employees and officers
f. Perform all other duties imposed by the Board of Commissioners
City Attorney
1. In General
a. Serves as the city’s chief legal counsel
b. Advise city officials on legal matters pertaining to the interests of the city
c. Representing the city in legal actions in which the city is an interested party
d. Attendance at legislative body meetings when presence is requested
Source: Kentucky League of Cities: City Officials Legal Handbook, ed. 2005
Commitment to Citizens
To help ensure the citizens of Fulton can be proud of their community and its leaders, the City of Fulton is committed to the following:
1. The City is committed to providing our residents the highest quality infrastructure and services affordable in a professional, equitable and fiscally responsible manner.
2. The City is committed to ensuring a safe, healthy and peaceful community in which our citizens may live and work.
3. The City is committed to planned economic growth and strategic future planning.
4. The City is committed to treating our residents, businesses and industries with respect and fairness.
First Mayor and Councilmen:
1961 Mayor Nelson Tripp
Councilmen Guy Fry
Ward Johnson
J. O. Lewis
Charles Rice
O. L. Winstead
W. S. Atkins
City Manager form of government began January 1, 1962
Meetings were set at 1st Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Later changed to 2nd and 4th Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
Time changed to 7:00 p.m.
Time changed to 5:00 p.m. in 1993
Time changed to 5:30 p.m. in 2004
First meeting in new City Hall - January 26, 1976
First Mayor and Commissioners under City Manger form of government 1962
Mayor Nelson Tripp
Commissioners Bill Rice
Clarence Moline
Robert McClain
L. M. McBride ( resigned 3-26-62)
Nelson Tripp (replaced McBride)
City Attorney Rodney Miller
City Manager B. R. Baxter (resigned 8-1-62)
James Robey (hired 9-1-62)
City Treasurer Katherine Berryman
City Clerk Martha Smith
CITY MANAGERS AND TERMS
FROM :
TO:
1962-1983 |
1983-2008 |
B. R. Baxter James B. Robey Rollin Shaw Joseph McCoy Sturman Mackey David Peace James O. Martin |
John Arntz Richard I. Lewis B. Roger Pulley John Ward Kenny Etherton |
Mayor and Commissioners take office at the 1st of January
YEAR
MAYOR
CITY TREASURER
CITY CLERK
| 1902-1922 | 1923-1943 | 1944-1964 | 1965-1985 | 1986-2008 |
1902 |
1923 |
1944 |
1965 |
1986 |
1903 J. F. Fall John Tyler |
1924 R. H. Wade Thomas Chapman |
1945 T. T. Boaz Martha Smith |
1966 |
1987 James O. Martin Bettie Robey Barbara Rice |
1904 J. F. Fall C. L. Myrick |
1925
R. H. Wade Thomas Chapman |
1946 T. T. Boaz Martha Smith |
1967 Barbara Rice 8-8-64 |
1988 James O. Martin Bettie Robey Barbara Rice |
1905 J. F. Fall C. L. Myrick |
1926 W. O. Shankle Thomas Chapman |
1947 T. T. Boaz Martha Smith |
1968 |
1989 James O. Martin Bettie Robey Barbara Rice |
1906 U. S. Shackett H. F. Taylor |
1927 W. O. Shankle Thomas Chapman |
1948 T. T. Boaz Martha Smith |
1969 |
1990 James O. Martin Bettie Robey Barbara Rice Will H. Bondurant |
1907 U. S. Shackett H. F. Taylor |
1928 W. O. Shankle Thomas Chapman |
1949 T. T. Boaz Martha Smith |
1970 |
1991 Will H. Bondurant Bettie Robey Barbara Rice |
1908 U. S. Shackett J. P. Tyler |
1929 W.O. Shankle Thomas Chapman |
1950 W. S. Atkins Martha Smith |
1971 |
1992 |
1909 R. M. Channing J. P. Tyler |
1930 Paul DeMyer Thomas Chapman |
1951 W. S. Atkins Martha Smith |
1972 |
1993 |
1910 J. F. Fall J. P. Tyler |
1931 Paul DeMyer Thomas Chapman |
1952 W. S. Atkins Martha Smith |
1973 |
1994 |
1911 J. F. Fall J. P. Tyler |
1932 Paul DeMyer Thomas Chapman |
1953 W. S. Atkins Martha Smith |
1974 |
1995 |
1912 J. F. Fall J. P. Tyler |
1933 Paul DeMyer Mary Chapman |
1954 W. T. Browning Martha Smith |
1975 |
1996 |
1913 J. F. Fall J. P. Tyler |
1934 Paul DeMyer Mary Chapman |
1955 W. T. Browning Martha Smith |
1976 |
1997 |
1914 R. M. Channing J. R. Milner |
1935 Paul DeMyer Mary Chapman |
1956 W. T. Browning Martha Smith |
1977 |
1998 |
1915 R. M. Channing J. R. Milner |
1936 Paul DeMyer Mary Chapman |
1957 W. T. Browning Martha Smith |
1978 |
1999 |
1916 R. M. Channing J. R. Milner |
1937 Paul DeMyer Mary Chapman |
1958 W. T. Browning Martha Smith |
1979 |
2000 |
1917 R. M. Channing J. R. Milner |
1938 Paul DeMyer Mary Chapman |
1959 Nelson Tripp Martha Smith |
1980 |
2001 |
1918 Joe Browder R. T. Caldwell |
1939 Paul DeMyer Mary Chapman |
1960 Nelson Tripp Martha Smith |
1981 |
2002 |
1919 Joe Browder R. T. Caldwell |
1940 Paul DeMyer Mary Chapman |
1961 |
1982 |
2003 |
1920 Joe Browder R. T. Caldwell |
1941 Paul DeMyer Mary Chapman |
1962 Gilbert DeMyer Katherine Berryman Martha Smith |
1983 Kenneth Turner Bettie Robey Barbara Rice |
2004 |
1921 Joe Browder R. T. Caldwell |
1942 T. T. Boaz Mary Chapman |
1963 Gilbert DeMyer Katherine Berryman Hazel Merryman |
1984 Kenneth Turner Bettie Robey Barbara Rice |
2005 |
1922 R. H. Wade Thomas Chapman |
1943 T. T. Boaz Mary Chapman |
1964 Gilbert DeMyer Katherine Berryman Hazel Merryman |
1985 Kenneth Turner Bettie Robey Barbara Rice |
2006 |
2007 |
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2008 |
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COMMISSIONERS
| 1962-1969 | 1970-1979 | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-present |
1962 L. M. McBride (resigned March, 1962) Robert McClain Clarence Moline Bill Rice Nelson Tripp (filled McBride's term) |
1970 Charles Gregory Bob Craven Charles R. Bennett J. D. Hales
|
1980 Brenda Nanney Robert Hailey Don Campbell Allen Gearhart |
1990 Bill Robertson Will H. Bondurant Johnnie Vaughan Bennie Gordon |
2000 Duane (Pete) Morgan Bill Robertson Randal Adkins Mitchell Reilly |
1963 Charles R. Bennett Robert McClain Bill Rice Clarence Molin |
1971 Charles Gregory Bob Craven Charles R. Bennett J. D. Hales |
1981 Brenda Nanney Robert Hailey Don Campbell Allen Gearhart |
1991 Will H. Bondurant (appointed Mayor when Martin resigned) Bill Robertson Johnnie Vaughan Bennie Gordon (died in office) Elaine Forrester (filled Bondurant's term) Betty Gordon (filled Bennie's term |
2001-2002 George Frazier Bill Smith Eddie Crittendon Mitchell Reilly |
1964-1967 Charles R. Bennett W. P. Burnette William Scott J. Ward Johnson |
1972 Charles R. Bennett Bob Craven J. D. Hales Paul Kasnow |
1982 Brenda Nanney Barkley Jones Allen Gearhart Arline Meacham |
1992 Elaine Forrester (appointed Mayor when Bondurant resigned) Bill Robertson Johnnie Vaughan Nancy Earle Duane (Pete) Morgan (filled Forrester's term) |
2003-2004 George Frazier Bill Bard Jason Gibbs Mitchell Reilly |
1968 William Scott Charles Gregory Bob Craven Shelton Owens |
1973 Charles R. Bennett Bob Craven J. D. Hales Paul Kasnow |
1983 Brenda Nanney Barkley Jones Allen Gearhart Arline Meacham |
1993 Bill Robertson Johnnie Vaughan ( resigned September 93) Nancy Earle Duane (Pete) Morgan Michael Farmer (replaced Vaughan 11-8-93) |
2005 Jason Gibbs William (Bill) Bard Elaine Forrester Mitchell Reilly |
1969 William Scott Charles Gregory Bob Craven Shelton Owens |
1974 Kenneth Turner Paul Kasnow Bob Craven Dan Voegeli |
1984 Barkley Jones Arline Meacham Randall Adkins Allen Gearhart |
1994 Duane (Pete) Morgan Bill Robertson Michael Farmer Nancy Earle |
2006 Jason Gibbs |
1975 Kenneth Turner Paul Kasnow Bob Craven Dan Voegeli |
1985 Barkley Jones Arline Meacham Randall Adkins Allen Gearhart |
1995 Duane (Pete) Morgan Bill Robertson Michael Farmer Nancy Earle |
2007 Jeff Vaughn Michael Farmer Alex Noffel Jr. Doug Fisette (For Elaine’s term voted in on 12-10-07) |
|
1976 Kenneth Turner Dan Voegeli Bob Craven Dollie Morgan |
1986 Mike Butts Bill Robertson L. W. Duncan Pat Frazier |
1996 Duane (Pete) Morgan Bill Robertson Michael Farmer Nancy Earle |
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1977 Kenneth Turner Dan Voegeli Bob Craven Dollie Morgan |
1987 Mike Butts Bill Robertson L. W. Duncan Pat Frazier |
1997 Duane (Pete) Morgan Bill Robertson Randal Adkins Mitchell Reilly |
||
1978 Kenneth Turner Robert Hailey Dan Voegeli Robert Goodwin |
1988 Bill Robertson Pat Frazier Mike Butts Will H. Bondurant |
1998 Duane (Pete) Morgan Bill Robertson Randal Adkins Mitchell Reilly |
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1979 Kenneth Turner Robert Hailey Dan Voegeli Robert Goodwin (resigned) Dollie Morgan |
1989 Bill Robertson Pat Frazier Mike Butts (resigned) Will H. Bondurant Duane (Pete) Morgan (filled Butts' term) |
1999 Duane (Pete) Morgan ? Bill Robertson ? Randal Adkins ? Mitchell Reilly |
BUDGETS
| 1963-1972 | 1972-1981 | 1981-1991 | 1991-2000 | 2000-2009 |
1963-64 1964-65 1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 |
1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 |
1981-82 1983-84 1985-85 1986-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 |
1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1996-98 1998-99 3,704,638.00 1999-2000 3,457,990.00 |
2000-2001 3,737,889.00 2001-2002 4,089,772.00 2002-2003 4,857,581.00 2003-2004 4,037,233.00 2004-2005 3,940,553.00 2005-2006 3,930,785.00 2006-2007 4,640,112.00 2007-2008 4,658,029.00 2008-2009 5,026,539.00 |