Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Shelbyville Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 6

council seats up

4 contests

8 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor · 1 seat

Randy CarrollIncumbentShelbyville's mayor, a Navy veteran who retired from Duck River Electric Membership Corporation after 31 years. He holds honors degrees from Motlow State Community College and Trevecca Nazarene University.3sourced
Henry FeldhausWard 1 city councilman and former Shelbyville mayor (1987-1995) who co-owns an investment services firm. He has served on the council from 1981 to 1987 and since 2012. He holds a business degree from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from Middle Tennessee State University.8sourced
Dave RogersArmy veteran who started a nonprofit to feed veterans and their families. He also regularly helps cook at a local soup kitchen.4sourced

City Council Ward 2 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 4 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 6 · Unopposed

Bobby TurnbowIncumbentWard 6 city councilman and retired Duck River Electric lineman and safety instructor. He has lived in Ward 6 for over 60 years.6sourced

The Nov. 3 ballot has a mayor contest and one contest each for City Council Ward 2, Ward 4 and Ward 6; each is vote for one.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Josh BlevinsCouncilmember, Ward 5 (not on the 2026 ballot)5sourced Betsy NoelWard 3 city councilwoman, a registered nurse and clinical liaison for Middle Tennessee Pharmacy Services. She holds an MBA from Lipscomb University.3sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesLarge housing developments and infrastructure, Data centers, Sales tax dispute with Bedford County Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Large housing developments and infrastructure

Where it standsThe council approved the 480-home Remington Farms planned unit development 4-2 in May 2026 after deferring it in April.

What's on the tableWhether and how to approve large rezonings and planned developments, including when the Planning Commission has recommended against them.

In April 2026 the council voted 4-1 to defer second reading of the Remington Farms planned unit development and send the updated pattern book to the Planning Commission. Shelbyville City Council minutes, April 9, 2026 · Apr 9, 2026
On May 14, 2026 the council approved the ordinance for the Remington Farms planned unit development on about 158 acres on Union Street, 4-2, with the final unit number at 480, of which 345 are single family residences. Shelbyville City Council minutes, May 14, 2026 · May 14, 2026
The ordinance had been unfavorably recommended by the Shelbyville Municipal Planning Commission. Shelbyville City Council minutes, May 14, 2026 · May 14, 2026

Data centers

Where it standsCouncilman Henry Feldhaus says he made the motion for a moratorium on data centers in the city.

What's on the tableWhether data centers stay paused, are allowed under zoning rules or are welcomed in the city.

Henry Feldhaus said in his mayoral announcement that he united the city council and made the motion to institute a moratorium on data centers. Shelbyville Times-Gazette · Sep 2, 2026
Mayoral candidate Dave Rogers has advocated against bringing data centers to the community when their impact would outweigh their benefits, according to the Times-Gazette. Shelbyville Times-Gazette · Sep 21, 2026

Sales tax dispute with Bedford County

Where it standsIn August 2026 the Tennessee Court of Appeals affirmed a ruling that lets the city end a 1974 sales tax sharing contract with the county.

What's on the tableHow the city works with the county after the ruling, which sets July 1, 2027 as the termination date unless appealed further.

The Court of Appeals decided on Aug. 13, 2026 that the 1974 contract, which had no termination date, could be ended; it affirmed the trial court's termination date of July 1, 2027. Tennessee Court of Appeals · Aug 13, 2026
WGNS Radio reported the ruling returns an estimated $2 million a year in sales tax revenue to the city from July 1, 2027. WGNS Radio · Aug 14, 2026
County Mayor Chad Graham said the decision is a setback for education funding and that the new county mayor and commissioners would decide whether to appeal further. WGNS Radio · Aug 14, 2026

Senior property tax freeze

Where it standsIn May 2026 the council asked staff to talk with the county about the administrative costs of a senior property tax freeze.

What's on the tableWhether the city joins a senior property tax freeze program, and when.

On May 14, 2026 the council passed a motion by Councilmember Blevins, seconded by Councilmember Christie, to have staff speak with the county about administrative costs of a senior tax freeze and bring a number back to council. Shelbyville City Council minutes, May 14, 2026 · May 14, 2026
At a May 5, 2026 study session Councilmember Blevins said seniors would have to qualify every year and the city would need to pass the program by December. Shelbyville City Council study session minutes, May 5, 2026 · May 5, 2026

Property tax rate and city budget

Where it standsThe council passed the first reading of the FY2026-27 budget ordinance and the state-certified tax rate ordinance on June 2, 2026.

What's on the tableEach June the council adopts the next fiscal year's budget and sets the property tax rate.

At a June 4, 2026 budget workshop the treasurer said the current property tax rate was $1.48 and the certified tax rate was $1.003. Shelbyville budget workshop minutes, June 4, 2026 · Jun 4, 2026
On June 2, 2026 the council approved on first reading, by unanimous roll call vote, an ordinance adopting the certified tax rate, with a preliminary rate of $1.003. Shelbyville City Council special called meeting minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026
On June 2, 2026 the council approved on first reading, by unanimous roll call vote, the annual budget and tax rate ordinance for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. Shelbyville City Council special called meeting minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. How should the council treat large planned housing developments like Remington Farms?
2. Should the city join the senior property tax freeze program?
3. What should the council do with the city property tax rate?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineBedford County Election CommissionOct 5, 2026
Early voting beginsBedford County Election CommissionOct 14, 2026
Early voting endsBedford County Election CommissionOct 29, 2026
Last day to request an absentee ballotBedford County Election CommissionOct 24, 2026
Election DayShelbyville Times-Gazette · Jul 23, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Josh Blevins, Betsy Noel3 on this ballot

6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The city council is made up of seven members: a mayor and six councilmen, one for each of six wards. City of Shelbyville
The mayor has a voice at council meetings but no vote, except to cast the deciding vote in a tie among the councilmen. City of Shelbyville
The mayor and councilmen serve four-year terms. City of Shelbyville
Councilmen for Wards 1, 3 and 5 and councilmen for Wards 2, 4 and 6 are elected in alternating general elections held in November of even-numbered years. City of Shelbyville
The Nov. 3, 2026 municipal election is for Mayor and City Council Wards 2, 4 and 6. Shelbyville Times-Gazette · Jul 23, 2026
The city manager is the administrative head of city government under the direction of the city council. City of Shelbyville

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