Services
The city is governed by a five-member city council. Council Members are elected to two-year terms. The council selects the Mayor from among its membership and employs a city manager.
The City Council meets the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Room at the Norris Community Building.
Tommy Mariner — Vice Mayor
Jack Black — Council Member
Loy Johnson — Council Member
Joy Wilson — Council Member
The Mission of the City of Norris is to foster a community that nurtures a satisfying quality of life by providing services for its citizens, visitors, and businesses in an ethical, efficient and responsive manner while remembering the past and looking to the future.
Norris will be a clean, safe and welcoming city, growing economically and preserving our heritage.
The city’s fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th. Property taxes become due and payable on August 1, and delinquent on September 1. The City Council establishesthe municipal tax rate, but municipal property values are assesses by the Anderson County Property Assessor.
The city provides great services for residents. The Public Works Department maintains the city streets, provides fall leaf collection, snow removal, mowing, brush pick-up, animal control, and many other services that helps keep the city beautiful. The Public Safety Department provides around the clock police and fire protection. The Public Safety Officers are trained in both police and fire protection and are supported by a staff of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians. A private contractor provides back door refuse collection and curb side recycling services for the city. New residents may initiate service by contacting the city office. Fees are included on the monthly water bill.
The city’s water supply comes from a natural spring located in the Norris Municipal Watershed. The water is fully treated in the city’s water treatment plant, pumped to the two storage tanks on Reservoir Hill and then distributed to our water customers by gravity. The city has a wastewater collection system and treatment facility also operated by the Norris Water Commission. New residents may initiate service by coming to the city office, make a small security deposit and arrange a time for the water service to be activated. The three-member Water Commission appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council is responsible for recommending the rates for water and sewer service and sets policies to ensure residents have clean drinking water and responsible wastewater collection and treatment. The Commission employs at Water Superintendent to oversee the operations.
The over 2,700-acre Norris Municipal Watershed serves as a demonstration of multiple land use. Watershed lands are managed for water, recreation, timber and wildlife conservation. The Watershed has almost 20 miles of trails for nature hikes and horseback riding. The annual Watershed deer hunt is held every fall during the state deer hunting season. A Watershed Board, composed of five Norris citizens who are appointed by the City Council, administers the Watershed.
The Norris Community Library is a branch of the Anderson County Regional Library Service. The city provides space, utilities, and contributes municipal funds annually to support the library. The Library is located in the McNeeley Building in the Norris Town Center.
The city has two parks with playgrounds and picnic areas. The city has a tennis courts and areas for basketball. The Norris Recreation Commission plans and coordinates a Summer Recreation Program. The program offers activities such as tennis, story hours, nature hikes, soccer, softball, swimming, arts and crafts and special field trips. Norris Lake and the Clinch River are on the cities doorstep providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water activities. The Clinch River, which flows out of Norris Dam, is recognized as one of the best trout streams in the Southeastern United States.
Norris is especially fortunate to have many parks and museums in our immediate area. Norris is within close driving distance of three state parks: Big Ridge, Norris Dam, and Cove Lake. The Lenoir Museum, Rice Grist Mill, and the Cosby Threshing Barn are located in the City on the Norris Freeway. The Museum of Appalachia, located just outside Norris, is nationally known for its active preservation of Southern Appalachian culture and the annual Fall Home Coming Celebration.
Norris became the first city in Tennessee to be named a Tree City USA for 10 consecutive years. The city has a tree commission that develops and administers a written plan for the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees or other growth on all municipal lands. The commission also maintains the city’s flower gardens and erects seasonal displays.
The city’s zoning ordinance is established by the city council and tightly regulated by the Norris Municipal Planning Commission. The zoning ordinance divides the city into residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural districts. The Board of Zoning Appeals interprets the provisions of the zoning ordinance and may grant exceptions and variances in certain circumstances.
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