Bells, TN town hall & government
Bells spent $8.4 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $3,429 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Bells's government.
Where Bells's money goes
Bells runs its own schools, so school spending is part of its budget. Comparisons are with other Tennessee cities.
Where the money comes from
- From the state 51%
- Utility sales 22%
- Sales taxes 10%
- Property taxes 7%
- From other local governments 5%
- Fees & charges 3%
- Interest, fines & other 1%
- From the federal government <1%
Who works for Bells
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Bells City School District
Bells's elementary school district. The schools are run by Bells, so this money is part of the budget above.
Where the district's money comes from Tennessee districts overall: 40% local, 44% state, 16% federal
- Local 12%
- State 64%
- Federal 23%
Of the $10,793 per pupil, $6,642 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Which schools Bells kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Bells pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the survey estimate has a wide margin.
Contact Bells's government
Who represents Bells
Bells is represented in Congress by Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty and Representative David Kustoff. Bill Lee is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.