Capitol Update: March 15, 2024

Overflow Hotel Info for TCSA's Legislative Conference

Reminder for TCSA Third Thursday Webinar: Strengthening Tennessee's Resilience to Disasters

NACo Shares Tools to Celebrate #NationalCountyGovernmentMonth

National County Government Month (NCGM), held each April, is an annual celebration of county government. Since 1991, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has encouraged counties to actively promote county roles and responsibilities in serving residents.

Counties can schedule activities any time during the month. NCGM is an excellent opportunity for your county to highlight effective or innovative county programs and raise public awareness of services provided to the community. 

This year's National County Government Month theme is consistent with NACo President Mary Jo McGuire’s focus for the year, ForwardTogether. 

NACo Achievement Awards Accepting Applications Until March 30th

Programs must accomplish one or more of the following:

• Offer new services to county residents, fill gaps in the availability of services, fill gaps in or tap new revenue sources
  Improve the administration of an existing county government program
• Upgrade the working conditions or level of training for county employees. Enhance the level of citizen participation in, or the understanding of, government programs
• Provide information that facilitates effective public policy making
  Promote intergovernmental cooperation and coordination in addressing shared problems

In the case of a program that is in response to a federal or state law, regulation or order, the program must go beyond mere compliance with the statute, regulation or order and must display a creative approach to meeting those requirements.

• The program must have measurable results (e.g. cost savings, enhanced employee productivity, improved constituent services, created better intergovernmental cooperation).
• The program must be innovative and not rely on techniques or procedures that are common practice in most counties of similar population or size.
• All aspects of the program must be consistent with acceptable governmental and financial management practices and must promote general governmental accountability.

Tennessee State Parks Provide 7 New All-Terrain Wheelchairs

NASHVILLE - Tennessee State Parks today announced the availability of new all-terrain wheelchairs at seven state parks, enhancing accessibility for visitors and bringing the total of parks with the wheelchairs to 12.

The announcement is especially timely at Cummins Falls State Park, which has a new 3,600 sq. ft. ADA accessible overlook at the end of the .4-mile Falls Overlook Trail. Non-electric wheelchairs can also access the overlook.