hat County Commissioners Do—and Don’t Do

What County Commissioners Actually Are

County commissioners are the members of the county legislative body — the group legally responsible for governing the county’s policy and finances. In Tennessee, they’re sometimes also called the county legislative body.

They are elected officials who serve terms (usually four years) and represent districts within the county.

Top Duties: What County Commissioners Do

1. Make Local Laws & Set Policy

Commissioners act like a local legislature for the county. This means they pass laws and policies that govern county operations — but only within the powers the state grants them. Counties can’t make laws outside what Tennessee law allows.

2. Meet Regularly & Vote on Business

By law, county commissioners must meet at least four times a year and attend every session. Meetings must be open to the public and follow proper notice rules.

3. Adopt the Annual County Budget

Commissioners are responsible for approving and adopting the county’s yearly budget. This decides how local tax money and other revenues are spent on services like schools, public safety, roads, and more.

4. Set the County Property Tax Rate

One of the most important decisions commissioners make is the property tax rate — this directly affects how much homeowners and businesses pay each year.

5. Approve Spending & Appropriations

They authorize how county funds are used. No county money can be spent without the commission’s approval.

6. Approve Bonds, Capital Projects & Big Costs

The commission must approve things like bond issues, big construction projects, and taking on long-term debt.

7. Elect or Confirm Certain Officials

Some boards and commissions must be filled by vote of the county commission — like certain workhouse boards or planning entities. Commissioners also elect their chairperson and chair pro tem each year.

8. Public Transparency and Open Government

Commission meetings are open to the public. They must provide notice before meetings last-minute or special sessions.

What County Commissioners Do Not Do

1. They Do Not Run Daily County Operations

In Tennessee, the county mayor (or county executive) is the executive leader responsible for everyday operations — such as managing departments, supervising staff, and handling the business side of county government. The commission does not manage day-to-day operations of county departments.

2. They Do Not Supervise County Employees

Commissioners set overall policy and approve budgets, but they don’t hire, fire, or supervise individual county employees. That’s typically the job of the county mayor, department heads, or elected officials.

3. They Can’t Act Outside of State Law

Counties only have the powers expressly given to them by the Tennessee General Assembly. That means if there’s no statute or authority for a county to do something, the commission can’t lawfully do it.

4. They Don’t Have Executive Authority

Unlike a city council or a county administrator in some states, county commissioners in Tennessee don’t run agencies, departments, or make executive decisions — they create the framework; others carry it out.

Bottom Line:

County commissioners play a crucial role in shaping the direction of our local government, but their responsibilities can sometimes be misunderstood. At their core, commissioners are decision-makers — they set policy, approve budgets, and make sure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. They are not the day-to-day operators of county departments, nor do they handle individual personnel or operational matters. By understanding what commissioners truly do — and what falls outside their authority — voters can make informed choices at the ballot box and have clearer expectations of how county government works.