History:

The City of Townsend was chartered in 1921 by folks who were involved with the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company. Those folks saw the benefit to the citizens with a collective voice representing the needs and desires of the people. The City operates under a charter by which the parameters of its boundaries and codes are defined.

The main source of revenue is the state sales tax collected by city businesses. The City of Townsend has no property tax. Some of the other sources of revenue to the City are: in lieu of taxes, franchise taxes, beer taxes, and road taxes.

The City provides services to the people. Some are police protection; street maintenance; street lighting; fire protection through paid subscriptions for City residents to the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department; planning; zoning and recreation.

The City of Townsend holds to the commission form of government. The Commission is made up of 5 commissioners. The five commissioners are elected to 4 year terms. Seats are staggered so 3 are elected and then two years later 2 are elected.

The 5 elected commissioners then elect one of their number to be Mayor. The Mayor serves for one year. In the same manner the elected Commissioners then elect one of their number to serve their City in the capacity of Police Commissioner, Planning Commissioner, Maintenance Commissioner, and Recreation Commissioner.