The Bartlett Information Guide, published twice annually by the city, contains a wealth of information for people considering moving to the city and for locals who need a handy reference to what makes Bartlett a great place to live, be entertained, and do business.
City leaders, personnel
The City of Bartlett is governed by an elected Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Six aldermen are elected to four-year staggered terms. The Mayor is elected to a four-year term.
City elections are held in even-numbered years. Much of the business of the City of Bartlett is overseen by various Boards and Commissions. The city currently has a Mayor’s Youth Council as well as 13 Citizen Boards and Commissions:
- Bartlett Arts Council
- BPACC Advisory Board
- Bartlett Station Commission
- Board of Zoning Appeals
- City Beautiful Commission
- Code Appeals Board
- Design Review Commission
- Family Assistance Commission
- Grievance Review Board
- Historic Preservation Commission
- Industrial Development Board
- Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
- Planning Commission
Bartlett currently employs approximately 480 full-time and 225 part-time employees and has an annual turnover rate of less than 3 percent. During 2014, Personnel processed over 3,000 applications for employment and it is not uncommon for more than 200 to apply and be tested for positions in fire and police departments. In addition, the Personnel Department staff administers the City’s insurance and pension plans, safety program, pay plan and personnel policy.
Demographics
The following city demographic information is current through June 2014:
- Date of incorporation: 1866
- Population: Last certified census count, 2012 Special Census — 56,484
- 2014 census estimate – 58,264
- Number of households: 19,151
- City area: 32.30 square miles
- Annexation reserve area: 11.64 square miles
- Bond rating: Standard & Poor’s AAA, Moody’s Investor Aa1
Tax rate
As of May 2015, Bartlett had the following tax rates:
- Property taxes: City of Bartlett $1.62; Shelby County, $4.37
- Sales tax: State, 7 percent; local optional sales tax, 2.75 percent
Tennessee levies state income tax on select interest and dividend income.
Police
The Bartlett Police Department is a Tennessee state certified agency with 116 sworn police officers and 75 patrol vehicles, which serve all areas within the corporate limits 24 hours a day. The response time is 3-4 minutes.
Bartlett has a SWAT (special weapons and tactics) team with 12 members, a motorcycle unit with 4 BMWs, three Canine Teams and 13 reserve officers that are used to enforce traffic laws and investigate auto accidents.
A bicycle patrol concentrates on the business community.
The D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) Program was first initiated in the Bartlett schools and has been instrumental in teaching students about the dangers of drugs. It also helps to keep the lines of communications open between young people and law enforcement.
The entire department consists of 177 employees.
Fire Department
The Bartlett Fire Department operates with a staff of 97 personnel utilizing 5 stations. There are six pumpers (three fully staffed and three reserve), two trucks (1-95 foot platform and 1-75 foot aerial), and 7 ambulances (4 fully staffed & 3 reserve). The response time is 4.5 minutes, and the department has a Class 3 rating for fire insurance.
More information
See the complete Information Guide online.
