Laurin Wheaton

Welcome to the City of Cookeville! I am Mayor Laurin Wheaton and thank you for visiting our site.  Whether you are a resident or visitor, thank you for your interest in the city, and I hope you find our website informative.  I am very pleased to call Cookeville home and am honored to be serving this great community along with my fellow Council members.  

The City of Cookeville operates under a Council-Manager form of government.  Five City Council members are elected at –large to serve a four-year term, there are no wards or districts within the City limits.  Council members elect the Mayor; historically the member that receives the highest number of votes is elected by the Council.  The Mayor presides over Council meetings and conducts other official duties as described in the city charter.  City Council meetings are held the first and third Thursday of each month at 5:30pm in the Cookeville Municipal Building located at 45 East Broad Street.  Additional meetings and work sessions are called when necessary to conduct public business.  These meetings are open to the public and is an opportunity for citizens to be involved in the decision making process for our city.  We welcome those who would like to attend as we work diligently for this great place to live and work. 

With a population of approximately 35,000, Cookeville is a well-diversified community that continues to experience positive growth.  In recognizing that growth, and in an effort to prepare for the future needs and expansion, the city completed the 2030 Plan which is a comprehensive strategy for growth and development.  The 2030 Plan contains analysis and evaluations of many of the factors that will affect the future of the City that includes municipal finances, socio-economic conditions, the environment and natural factors, existing development, utilities, and transportation.  The plan also established specific goals, objectives, and policies to guide in the future development of Cookeville.  The 2030 Plan can be viewed on this website under the tab for the Planning Department. 

In addition to my duties as Mayor, I hold a career in the medical field as a Nurse Practitioner, community health and wellness is of the upmost importance to me.  I am excited and passionate about all Cookeville has to offer, the family friendly parks, facilities, and the many programs available to the public.   Being a native of Mississippi, I came to call Cookeville home with my family in 2013 and I certainly recognize the many wonderful things this community provides.  With a desire to serve and bring a new perspective to the City of Cookeville, I embarked on the path to public service in 2018, serving four years as Vice-Mayor before being elected to the City Council again in 2022 as Mayor.   Cookeville has a hometown, family friendly atmosphere that we have all come to know and love with the amenities of larger cities.  Strategic growth while preserving that atmosphere of hometown feel is a priority of mine throughout my term.  If I or City Staff may be of service to you, please feel free to contact us at 931-526-9591.