TCSA Fall Conference Registration Info Coming Next Week

Members, 
It's time again for the annual TCSA Fall Conference and Trade Show! We are excited about this year's event and are in the planning stages for speakers and much more. We are looking forward to seeing all of you in Rutherford County (Murfreesboro) at the Embassy Suites Hotel. 

We will send you more information about registration and lodging in the coming week, so stay tuned. 

NACo Shares Updated Guidance on ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Obligations

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 allocated $65.1 billion in direct funding to every county, parish, and borough across the country through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF).

The U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) issued two final rules in 2022 and 2023 to guide the eligible uses of SLFRF funds and the timeline for their obligation and expenditure.

On March 29, 2024, the Treasury released a new obligation Interim Final Rule (IFR) along with corresponding FAQs to address counties' questions and provide additional clarification on some key topics including obligations around personnel expenses, reclassifying funds and sub-recipients. NACo tirelessly advocated for the additional flexibilities granted by the new Obligation FAQs.

CTAS: Tennessee County Environmental Compliance

Counties are responsible for implementing several state and federal environmental programs. Environmental regulations protect human health and welfare and can impact community and economic development. This class will summarize the significant environmental programs that impact Tennessee Counties and provide examples of how these programs are planned, budgeted, and implemented.

*This training meets county elective requirements in the COCTP.

Class Schedule:

• September 3, 2024 - Knoxville UT Conference Center
• September 5, 2024 - Dickson County Extension Conference
• November 12, 2024 - Jackson Energy Authority

June 2024 Revenue Report Released

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson recently announced that revenues for June were $2.294 billion, which is $34.8 million more than June of last year but $31.5 million less than the budgeted estimate. The total growth rate for the month was 1.54 percent. 

“Total revenues in June showed positive gains compared to last year,” Bryson said. “Sales tax receipts, reflecting May consumer activity, grew moderately. Similarly, corporate tax revenues (franchise and excise taxes) held steady compared to June 2023. All other taxes increased by 2.55% compared to this time last year. 

“With one month remaining in this fiscal year, the state seems to be on track to meet the revised 2023-2024 growth rates adopted by the State Funding Board and enacted by the General Assembly. We are optimistic that we will achieve the revised estimate for the year.” 

TDEC Announces More Than $700k in Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grants

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced 36 Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grants (BRAG) totaling $718,757 for remediation projects across the state.

BRAG grants are derived from the Rural Brownfield Redevelopment Investment Act, which protects the environment and creates economic opportunities, especially in rural settings. The legislation empowers local governments and development boards with resources needed for investigation, cleanup, and redevelopment of blighted properties.

A brownfield is a property vacant or underutilized due to contamination. Remediation minimizes threats to public health, safety, and the environment. Brownfield sites vary in size, location, age, and past use.