The Tenom District Council was established on 1st January 1962 as a Local Government under the Local Government Ordinance, 1961. The establishment of the Tenom District Council was inaugurated by the Honorable Mr. Mr. L. Gray, Secretary of Local Government and was present at that time Resident for Inland, Mr. W. S. Holley. The first Tenom District Council chairman is Mr. William Lim and Deputy Chairman are Mr. Chiew Vui Kiet.

Tenom District Council is one of the Local Authorities in Sabah. It is located in the interior of Sabah, in the district of Tenom which is bordered with the Papar region in the north, the Beaufort district in the west, the Sipitang district in the southwest, the Indonesian Kalimantan region in the south, the Pensiangan region in the southeast and Keningau region in the east.

Initially the District Council office was placed in the District Office building because at that time the District Council had yet to have its own building. But in 1980 the District Council's office was transferred to the building of Dewan Datuk Seri Panglima Antenom and in 1984 the District Council eventually had its own office building namely Tenom District Council.

The Tenom District Council has set some objectives in line with its function and role as the Local Authority to provide the best and effective public service. Among the objectives outlined are as follows:

• Creating a Local Authority with efficient, effective and effective administration.
• Establish a financially robust Local Authority by utilizing existing resources optimally and diversifying new sources.
• Creating an efficient, fair, fair and quality service.
• Establish a developing town with a well-organized, clean, beautiful, comfortable and modern plan.
• Improve cleanliness, public health and beauty weekends.
• Improve local socio-economy by planning, building and providing business facilities

Managing and Administering Tenom District Council By Providing Best and Quality Service Through Optimal Energies and Resources.

Vision

GOOD, HARMONY AND LOVING FOR 2020.

Functions

• implementing / enforcing policies for the benefit, the welfare of the local and the public.
• Provide waste collection and disposal services within the proportionate area.
• Build and maintain ditches and drains within the proportionate area.
• Build and maintain public facilities such as public toilets, treatment plants and sewerage, street lights, infrastructure facilities such as roads, bridges, public roads, bus stops / cabs, community halls and multipurpose halls.
• Build and maintain business facilities such as markets, stalls, guests and night markets.
• Control and issue licenses under the jurisdiction of Tenom District Council.
• Controlling development plans from all aspects of trade, industry and housing and ensuring development is organized and systematically in accordance with the scheme plan.
• Process / approve development / building plans and issue Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (O.C).
• Build / maintain recreational parks, children's playgrounds, leisure facilities and open space.