“We didn’t stay at 906 very long,” Blackerby said of the initial population. “We had more people that wanted to be in the city than people who didn’t. We grew a lot.”

Niven shared the following milestones of the second City Council, including Allen Boone, Richard Conkle, Doug Ingram, Jimmy Lovvorn, Earl Niven Jr. and Ritchie, all of who served from 2000 to 2004: Received an AA Standard & Poor’s rating; had a U.S. Census 2000 population of 2,949; purchased a fire engine; appointed Wayne Shirley as fire chief; purchased land for Chelsea City Hall; installed weather sirens; developed the Yellowleaf Game Preserve Lodge; purchased land for Chelsea Recreation Park off Shelby County 39; borrowed $2 million and constructed the City Hall building; accepted land donated by Mike Strong for Shelby County 69 Fire Station; constructed Shelby County 69 Fire Station; borrowed $3 million for waterline from Chesser-Crane Road to Chelsea Park development, which Niven said was “one of the best investments we ever made;” contracted with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for contract deputies; and hired Bob Wanninger as full-time city clerk.

Milestones of the third City Council from 2004 to 2008, Juanita Champion, James V. Ferguson, Jeffrey M. Denton, the late Donald E. King, Ritchie and Tony Picklesimer, were as follows: Purchased a new fire engine; hired the first full-time fire chief and full-time firemen; established the Avenue of Flags on U.S. 280; oversaw economic growth on U.S. 280; installed 95 fire hydrants for better fire service; approved development of Chelsea Park subdivision; approved development of Chesser Plantation subdivision; launched the “Big Kaboom” fireworks show on July 3; started maintenance department; purchased Shelby County 51 property; developed softball complex with football field and soccer field on Shelby County 39; approved state retirement; purchased property for main fire station; adopted new comprehensive plan and subdivision regulations; purchased transport for fire department; adopted a city flag; established GIS Mapping Department; and saw 1,288 new building permits issued.

Milestones the fourth City Council, including Robert Barnes, Denton, Champion, Picklesimer, Ricky King and Dale Neuendorf, from 2008-2012 were: U.S. Census 2010 population was 10,183, a 245-percent increase; constructed new main fire station; purchased property and remodeled the Crane House for the library; approved purchase of Chelsea Youth Club property; funded $500,000 for Forest Oak Elementary School gym; purchased ladder fire truck; installed lights on Chelsea High School practice football field; established City of Chelsea Museum; established the Library Commission; contracted for garbage pickup and curbside recycling; and saw 352 new building permits issued.

The current City Council, composed of Champion, Neuendorf, Ingram, Nichols and Picklesimer, has witnessed the following milestones: Population over 12,000; received AA Standard & Poor’s rating; donated $300,000 for Hornet Parkway paving; purchased two used transport units; built four tennis courts; purchased 106 acres for sports complex off Shelby County 11; purchased 37 acres for Chelsea Community Center; purchased new fire engine; completed Phase 1 of Chelsea Sports Complex; constructed Chelsea Community Center; purchased new transport unit; purchased first new COP patrol car; partnered with Shelby County Board of Education and Shelby County Commission to provide resource officer in all Chelsea schools; and saw 430 new building permits issued through December 2015.

Niven recognized Rux Carter, chairman of the Shelby County Community Health Foundation, for his assistance in the city securing a $150,000 grant for the community center, and Shelby County Commissioner Dr. Robbie Hayes for his support.