MTAS Research and Information Center

Do you have questions? We've got answers! Call or email now. 865-974-0411  |  mtaslibrary@tennessee.edu

Who we are and how we can help

The Research and Information Center (RIC) serves as a clearinghouse for information produced by and about cities. We are an information center which provides research, reference and survey services. Surveys for MTAS consultants and city officials are conducted to create and collect unique information on municipal government not available from other sources. RIC staff are responsible for the quarterly MTAS E-News and posting to MTAS's Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages. 

Services of the RIC and MTAS library print materials are reserved for the use of city officials and staff and MTAS staff. However, even if you are not in our customer group, feel free to request an item (or contact us) and if we can help you in some way, we will. 

Need to Find Out How Other Cities Are Handling Similar Situations? Request a Survey.

The MTAS Research and Information will conduct surveys for municipalities to gather that hard to find information needed to answer questions as you serve your community. We typically need 2 weeks to start and complete a survey. Request a survey by emailing RIC staff here: mtaslibrary@tennessee.edu

What is MRLn?

MRLn is the MTAS Research Library Online. Click here to start a "Basic Search":  Search MRLn

MRLn will: help you FIND legal opinions, surveys, job descriptions, sample resolutions and ordinances, articles, books, forms and more; SAVE your searches and search results to be able to repeat the search and find all of the latest materials in your area of interest; and provide a way for you to REQUEST items that you've located to be sent to you. 

Need to set up a guest MRLn account to access special user features or just have questions? Email mtaslibrary@tennessee.edu.

MTAS staff login in to MRLn with their NetID and password to access the special user features.

RIC Connect: 2025 Webinar Series -- Recordings

We are very pleased to have connected with some many Tennessee municipalities through our RIC Connect series in 2025. This series was designed to introduce our staff and customers to the wide range of services and resources available through RIC.  

Here are recordings of each session. 

May 5, 2025

Survey Says ... RIC Survey Services and the MTAS Salary Survey

Meeting Recording: https://youtu.be/kkKTA5ARFDs?si=laGJwHVlUZFONPZE

In this webinar, MTAS Librarian Frances Adams-O'Brien explained the unique survey services provided by the MTAS Research and Information Center and also provided an introduction to the MTAS Salary Survey, a valuable resource for salary information for municipalities in Tennessee.  

August 11, 2025

The Use of License Plate Readers in Tennessee Municipalities: A Panel Discussion

Meeting Recording: https://youtu.be/pVw9wDLlaZ0?si=KyAOoSP9bgkmkttU

Drawing on the results of recent research conducted by MTAS and the UTK Baker School, this session will provide a comprehensive overview of LPR technology, its applications, and its impact across Tennessee municipalities. Panelists will share key findings from the statewide survey, highlight successful implementations, and address challenges such as privacy concerns and legal considerations. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how municipalities are measuring effectiveness, adapting to innovations, and planning for the future.

Panelists: David Moore, MTAS Police Consultant, Dr. Xuhong Su is a professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the UTK Howard Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs.

Moderator: Jeff Stiles, MTAS Police Consultant

October 6, 2025

MTAS Services to Tennessee Municipalities: Learn How We Can Assist You Today!

Meeting Recording: https://youtu.be/kg3IOe9XuiI?si=Jyp6t2Endf4scdsu

With our colleagues MTAS Management Consultant Warren Nevad and MTAS Training and Development Consultant Yolanda Dillard we looked at how MTAS partners with cities and towns across Tennessee to strengthen operations, improve efficiency, and solve real-world challenges. The session introduced the range of services MTAS provides, from consulting to research to training. 

Have an idea for a future RIC webinar? 

Send us your thoughts today! mtaslibrary@tennessee.edu

MTAS Salary Survey FY2025 is Ready!

Have you needed salary information when looking at increases or when creating a new position? The MTAS Salary Survey can help. The Salary Survey Reporting Dashboard is available to any municipality that participates in the survey.

Are you a returning participant? 
If you participated in the FY2024 Salary Survey, just login and start a new survey for FY2025. (Use the same login information you created for the FY2024 survey.)  You will be able to import your data from last year. If any of the salary information has changed since FY2024, you can update it after you import it.

Are you a new participant? 
If you were not able to participate for the recent survey, that’s not a problem. Simply register as a new user for the survey and we will help you take it from there. We have also attached instructions to help you get registered and start a survey. Register a new account here:

https://survey.mtas.tennessee.edu

Our MTAS HR Consultants are also available to help:

• East Tennessee: Betsy Cunningham |  betsy.cunningham@tennessee.edu
• Middle Tennessee: John Grubbs |  john.grubbs@tennessee.edu
• West Tennessee: Peter Voss |  peter.voss@tennessee.edu

You may also email salaryinfo@tennessee.edu with any questions you might have.

We look forward to working with you soon!

MTAS Digital Archives at the UT Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange (TRACE)

MTAS maintains archival versions of its publications in the TRACE. Paper copies of the archival publications are maintained in the Knoxville Library Collection of MTAS.

Visit Trace here: https://trace.tennessee.edu/