Henry Feldhaus was recognized at the recent City Council study session for his latest Tennessee Municipal League (TML) Award. With his familiar smile, Feldhaus said first and foremost the greatest thing was that family was there to share in this accomplishment.
In recognition of his dedication to public service, Feldhaus was awarded the Bob Kirk Local Government Leadership Award on Tuesday, Aug. 5, during the 85th Annual Conference of the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) held at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
The honor really is outstanding-for Feldhaus and the City of Shelbyville. The award is named for Dyersburg City Alderman and TML Past President Bob Kirk who served his city for nearly 51 years as an elected official.
The Bob Kirk Local Government Leadership Award is presented to a council member, alderman, or commissioner who is at least in their second term of service to their municipality and has shown themselves to be an outstanding public servant to both their municipality and their community.
Feldhaus told the T-G Tuesday, “It was an honor to be chosen out of all the city elected officials in Tennessee. First, I want to thank my family and especially my wife, Jenni, for supporting me and allowing me to serve the citizens of Shelbyville for the past 47 years. Also, while I may have championed many efforts to improve our community with great investments and quality of life improvements, I was not successful by myself. I thank the fellow elected officials who supported the visions.”
TML presenters discussed Feldhaus’ long-standing career with the City of Shelbyville. He ran opposed in the last City election, which likely demonstrates his Ward’s faith in his service and ability as councilman.
“Since 1981, Councilman Feldhaus has been a fixture in Shelbyville municipal government, advocating for the development of parks and recreation facilities, revitalizing the City’s riverside district, and bringing new industry and educational opportunities to the community.”
Feldhaus’ service to Shelbyville initially began in 1978, when he was appointed to the Shelbyville Airport Authority. Over the course of 27 years, Feldhaus, a licensed pilot himself, has served as a councilman representing Ward 1, Shelbyville’s vice mayor and mayor.
Feldhaus was first elected to City Council in 1981, serving until he was elected mayor from 1987 to 1995. Feldhaus returned to elected office as the Ward 1 Councilman in 2012.
He also has served on virtually every board and committee associated with the City of Shelbyville in the past 45 years. His civic involvement has also included serving as past president of the Shelbyville Rotary Club, as a founding member of Leadership Bedford, and as a member of the Shelbyville-Bedford County Library Board and Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce.
TML also recognized Feldhaus as a key proponent of parks and recreation opportunities, helping to create the City’s H.V. Griffin Park and the 142-acre Shelbyville Recreation Center that boasts multiple gyms, craft rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, and numerous other amenities for active and passive recreation activities.
He is also a major driver in the Riverview District project, which is planned to revitalize the area between Shelbyville’s Historic Square and the Duck River. TML noted that the City purchased blighted and dilapidated properties in the southwest corner of the square for retail redevelopment, seeing the buildings through an RFP process for redevelopment.
“New developers, investing in excess of $3 million, have created an upscale steakhouse, mercantile stores, and short-term rentals. The City has also facilitated underground utilities with period decorative lighting, increased public parking, string lights to provide atmosphere, a landscaping plan for beautification, seating areas, and a staging area for concerts and special events.”
Feldhaus also enlisted support from local leaders, MTSU, and state officials as well as a TDOT Transportation Alternative Program grant to finance the current Riverwalk and Duck River Overlook. The $2.7 million ongoing project will connect downtown, the Fly Arts Center, and open the park area bordering the Duck River for numerous opportunities for recreation and entertainment.
Drawing on his relationships in aviation, Feldhaus was instrumental in relocating the MTSU Aerospace Campus and flight training program (set to open in couple years) to the Shelbyville Municipal Airport. The program is part of a larger expansion of the airport, including a new 50,000-square-foot building and a 28,000-square-foot hangar. Several aircraft have also been relocated to the airport as it continues to grow.
Other economic and community development initiatives in which Feldhaus has taken a leadership role, TML stated, include the creation of the 231 North Business Park that has “landed more than $100 million in major industrial investment in the City.”
Perhaps the most notable achievement to date in Councilmember Feldhaus’ storied career, TML also credited Feldhaus’ recent knowledge of the local optional sales tax situation and lawsuit with Bedford County. TML credited him for his persistence to correct an oversight going for decades. Through his “expert testimony,” TML stated that the City received a favorable court ruling for the sales tax agreement.
Now in appeals court, if the original ruling for the previous agreement to terminate is upheld, the City should start receiving in 2027, an additional $2 million annually in local option sales tax revenues.
But again, Councilman Feldhaus, despite all his political/governmental success, is all about family. He’s the eldest of six children of the late Mary Jo Feldhaus, who was a local educator, and the late Dr. Henry Feldhaus, who was a decorated POW and a local family physician.
Feldhaus graduated from The University of Tennessee in business administration, majoring in industrial management in 1976. He later received his MBA from Middle Tennessee State University in 1999, graduating first in his class and was inducted into the coveted Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.
He is married to Jenni, who is a CPA and certified financial planner; they currently own and operate Feldhaus Investor Services. Henry and Jenni have three children - Dr. Jennifer Feldhaus, Dr. LauraAnne Feldhaus Stewart and Henry Feldhaus IV and 3 grandchildren.
