- University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
Airports
Alcohol and Beer Regulations
Business Regulations
Code Enforcement
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Code Enforcement
- Federal and State Pre-emption
- Inspectors
- Code Enforcement & Building Inspection
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Administrative Inspection Warrants
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- What Courts May Issue Warrants?
- Proof Needed to Apply for a Warrant
- How Long Must a City Wait for a Warrant?
- What Must the Warrant State?
- How Long is the Warrant Active?
- Administrative Inspection Warrant Issues
- Sample Administrative Inspection Warrant
- Sample Affidavit and Administrative Inspection Warrant Affidavit
- Administrative Hearing Officer Programs
- Protection of the Public
- Regulation of Contractors
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Building Codes in Tennessee
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Adopting Building Codes and Amendments By Reference
- Adopting Building Codes by Reference
- Amendments to Building Codes
- Adopting New Codes When a Code was Previously Adopted
- Guide to Adopting Building Codes
- Sample Ordinance: Adopt Amendments by Ordinance
- Sample Ordinance: Adopt Amendments Administratively
- Sample Resolution: Rejecting Amendments
- Sample Ordinance: Incorporating Amendments-Municipal Code
- Sample Ordinance: Incorporating Amendments-Ordinance
- Sample Municipal Code Chapter Adopting IBC
- Sample Administrative Regulations to Adopt Amendments
- Sample Ordinance: Adopting New Editions-Existing Ordinance
- Sample Ordinance: Adopting New Editions-Municipal Code
- Energy Code Adoption
- 10 Simple Questions on Code Adoption
- ISO-Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule
- Opt-In for Residential Inspections
- Local Government Authorization to Perform Electrical Inspections
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Adopting Building Codes and Amendments By Reference
- Fire Prevention, Code Enforcement, Concurrent Jurisdiction
Courts
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Courts
- Jurisdiction
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Municipal Court Processes
- Definitions of Ordinance and Penalties
- Fines
- Conducting the Court
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- Collecting Court Fines and Fees
- Juvenile Traffic Offenders
- Litigation Tax
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- Interest on Municipal Court Judgments
- Court Action Reports
- Failure to Appear in Court
- Financial Responsibility Law
- Docket Book
- Financial Transactions of the Court
- Traffic Citations and Audit Process
- Rules of the Road
- Seatbelts and Child Restraint Violations
- Sample Ordinance - City Judge
- Sample Ordinance - State Traffic Offenses & Rules of the Road
- Sample Ordinance - Sample Financial Responsibility (Insurance)
- Submitting Court Report/Fines & Form Requests
- Municipal Court Appeals
- Court Retention Schedule
Economic Development
Education
Finance
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Finance
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Administration
- Accounting System
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Capital Asset Accounting System
- History of Governmental Accounting
- Governmental Funds-Measurement Focus
- Basis of Accounting
- Purpose and Benefits of a Capital Asset Accounting System
- Classifying Capital Assets
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Establishing a Capital Asset Accounting System
- Designating a Responsible Official
- Initial Inventory
- Valuing Capital Assets
- Individual Capital Asset Records and the Capital Asset Accounting System
- Proper Marking of Capital Assets
- Maintaining a Capital Asset Accounting System
- Sources of Cost Information
- Disposing of Capital Assets
- Cost Subsequent to Acquisition
- Physical Inventory of Capital Assets
- Sample Forms for Capital Asset Accounting Systems
- Certifications & Requirements
- Fund Balance
- Receipt and Investment of Funds
- Municipal Audits
- Finance Reports
- Municipal Travel Policy
- Reimbursement Rates for Travel
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Budgets
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Budget Guide
- Types of Budgets
- Funds
- Budget Process/Cycle
- Revenue Estimates
- Expenditure Estimates
- Capital Budgets and Multi-Year Budgets
- Budget Execution
- Audit Phase of Budget Cycle
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Budget Guide Exhibits
- Drug Fund Guidelines
- Sample Budget Public Notice
- Sample Budget Ordinance
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Municipal Revenues
- Real Property Tax
- Personal Property Tax
- Public Utility Property Tax
- Property Taxes: Prior Years
- Interest on Delinquent Property Taxes
- Payments in Lieu of Taxes: Electric Utilities
- Payment in Lieu of Taxes: Water Utilities
- Payments in Lieu of Taxes: Sewer Utilities
- Payments in Lieu of Taxes: Natural Gas Utilities
- Payments in Lieu of Taxes: Industry
- Local Option Sales Tax: Countywide
- Local Option Sales Tax: Municipality
- Wholesale Beer Tax
- Wholesale Liquor Tax
- Mixed Drink Taxes
- Minimum Business Tax
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- Special Assessments
- Automobile Registration
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- Gross Receipts: TVA
- Special Impact Area Funds: TVA
- State Alcoholic Beverage Tax
- State Gasoline and Motor Fuel Tax
- State Streets and Transportation
- State-Shared Beer Tax
- State-Shared Income Tax (Hall Income Tax)
- State-Shared Sales Tax
- Delinquent Property Tax Table
- AG Opinion: Pledge of City Appropriations to Nonprofit Organization
- AG Opinion: Municipally Owned Electrical Systems and Electric Cooperatives
- AG Opinion: Appropriation of Municipal Funds to Nonprofit Charitable Organizations Providing "Year-Round Services"
- GASB and Postemployment Benefits
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Budget Guide
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- Surplus Property
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Administration
Governing Structure
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Governing Structure
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Governing Body / Officials
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Human Resources
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Human Resources
- Benefits
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Employment Policies
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- Confidentiality of Municipal Employees' Personal Information
- Independent Contractor vs. Employee
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Interviewing and the Law
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
- Pre-Employment Practices
- Inappropriate Pre-Employment Inquiries
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Lawful and Unlawful Inquiries During Pre-Employment Interviews
- Lawful Inquiries: Name, Family Status, Age, Disability
- Unlawful Inquiries: Name, Family Status, Age, Disabilities
- Lawful Inquiries: Sex, Race, Residence, Birthplace
- Unlawful Inquiries: Sex, Race, Residence, Birthplace
- Lawful Inquiries: Religion, Military, Photo, Citizenship, Education, Conviction
- Unlawful Inquiries: Religion, Military, Photo, Citizenship, Education, Conviction
- Lawful Inquiries: Relatives, Organizations, Credit Rating, References
- Unlawful Inquiries: Relatives, Organizations, Credit Rating, References
- Damages for Violations
- Management of Personnel Records
- Model Identity Theft Policy/FACTA Compliance
- Non-Smoker Protection Act
- Recruiting and Selecting Professional Personnel
- Personnel Retention Schedule
- Risk and Safety
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State and Federal Employment Law
- ADA Regarding Service Animals
- Accommodating Nursing Mothers
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Title I: Employment
- ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA)
- Interactive Process
- "Disability" Under ADA
- Possible Accommodation for "Regarded as"
- Examples of Impairments Covered Under ADA
- Not Covered as a Disability Under ADA
- Duration of Impairment
- Episodic Conditions and Illnesses In Remission
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Regular Attendance as an Essential Function
- Essential vs. Marginal Function
- Mitigating Measures
- Reasonable Accommodation
- Intersection of GINA and ADA
- Intersection of FMLA and ADA
- Social Media and ADA
- Leave to Care for Adult Children: ADA and FMLA
- Title II of ADA
- Titles III and IV and V of ADA
- ADA List of Do's and Don'ts for Employers
- ADA: Frequently Asked Questions
- ADA: Frequently Asked Questions (2)
- ADA: Frequently Asked Questions (3)
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Family Medical and Leave Act (FMLA)
- National Defense Authorization Act of 2010
- FMLA Regulations Effective January 1, 2009
- FMLA Eligibility
- Continuing Health Care Treatment
- Serious Health Conditions
- Employee Notice Requirements
- Substitution of Paid Leave
- Light Duty or Overtime
- Employer Notice Obligations
- Medical Certification Process
- Leave Provisions for Military Families
- Caring for Adult Children
- FMLA and GINA
- Social Media and Casual Conversations - GINA
- Requests for Medical Leave
- FMLA Frequently Asked Questions
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Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
-
Complete Guide to COBRA
- Background and Legislation
- COBRA & Local Government Health Plans
- Eligilibility for COBRA Coverage
- Qualified Beneficiary
- Covered Persons - Not Qualified Beneficiaries
- Qualifying Events Requiring COBRA
- COBRA Premiums
- Benefits Subject to COBRA
- Duration of COBRA Coverage
- Open Enrollment and Transfer Period
- FMLA and COBRA
- General COBRA Notices
- HIPAA's Effect on COBRA
- Compliance and Liability Areas
- COBRA and W-2 Reporting
- COBRA Authority
-
Complete Guide to COBRA
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Immigration Reform and Control Act (I-9)
- I-9 Verification
- I-9 Central
- Verification of Identity and Employability
- List A Documents
- List B Documents
- Documents for Minors
- List C Documents
- Special Categories
- Rehiring and Re-verifying Employees
- Correcting Form I-9
- Record Maintenance and Retention
- Unlawful Discrimination and Penalties
- E-Verify
- Receipts in-lieu of List A, B or C Documents
- Updating Form I-9
- Fair Credit Reporting Act
-
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Application to State and Local Governments
- Requirements of the Act
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Who is Covered or Not Covered by FLSA
- Non-Covered Employees
- Exempt White-Collar Employees
- Salary Level Test
- Salary Basis Test
- Payment on a Fee Basis
- Duties Test
- Executive Exempt Employee
- Administrative Employee
- Professional Employee
- Recreational Employee Exemption
- Exempt Computer Employee
- Non-Exempt Employee
- Overview of FLSA Categories of Employees
- Check Lists and Samples
- Hours Worked and Compensation
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Overtime Compensation
- Compensation for Hours Worked
- Occasional and Sporadic Employment
- Substitutions
- Regular Rate of Pay
- Wage Deductions
-
Computing Regular Rate of Pay
- Hourly Employee
- Hourly Rate and Bonus
- Salaried Employee - Fixed Work Week
- Salaried Employee - More than 40 Hour Work Week
- Salaried Employee - Less than 40 Hour Work Week
- Fixed Weekly Salary - More than 40 Hour Work Week
- Semimonthly Salary Pay
- Monthly Salary Pay
- Employee Working at Two or More Rates
- Irregular Hours
- Computing Regular Pay and Overtime Compensation
- Overtime for Fire and Police
- Record Keeping Requirements
- Enforcement, Remedies, Penalties, and Settlements
- FSLA Resources
-
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Tennessee OSHA Law
-
OSHA Reporting, Procedures and Forms
- Scope and Coverage
- Recording Criteria
- OSHA Forms
-
Recording and Reporting Work Related Events
- Results in an Employee Death
- Injury or Illness Resulting in Days Away from Work
- Physician Recommendation
- Work-related Injury or Illness Results in Restricted Work
- Total Number of Days Away from Work
- Medical Treatment Beyond First Aid
- Loss of Consciousness
- Exposure to Blood/Infectious Material
- Medical Removal Under Medical Surveillance
- Exposure to Tuberculosis (TB)
- Hearing Loss
- Privacy Concern Cases
- Fatalities and Multiple Hospitalizations
- OSHA Annual Summary
- Employee Involvement with OSHA
- Providing Records to Government Representatives
- OSHA Revisions to the Hazard Communication Standard
- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
-
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA)
- GINA and HIPAA, Employment, Genetic Information
- Genetic Testing
- Wellness Programs
- Not Included in GINA
- Laws and Retaliation
- Exceptions to Acquiring Genetic Information
- Information not Considered "Genetic"
- What GINA Does Not Do
- GINA and ADA, FMLA, & Workers' Compensation
- Pre-Employment, Post-Offer Health Exams and Fit for Duty Exams
- Insurers, Exceptions, and Confidentiality
- Examples of Potential Discrimination Prohibited by GINA
- GINA: Frequently Asked Questions
- Firearms in Parking Lots
Information Technology
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Information Technology
- Archival Policy for Electronic Information
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Cable TV / Telecommunications and Utility Franchises
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Siting Telecommunications Towers
- Federal Laws Affecting Tower Placement
- State Laws Affecting Tower Placement
- Laws of Nature Affecting Tower Placement
- Laws of Economics Affecting Tower Placement
- Goals for a Municipal Tower Policy
- Design Criteria
- Telecommunications: Model Ordinances
- Issues Regarding Siting of Telecommunication Towers
- Competitive Cable & Video Services Act
-
Siting Telecommunications Towers
- Developing an IT Disaster Recovery Plan
- Disposing of a PC
- Electronic Technology Act of 2009
- Social Media as a Tool for Government
- Your Website Domain
Open Government
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Open Government
- Open Meetings Law
-
Tennessee Public Records Act
- Confidential Records
- Breach of Computer Security System
- Law Enforcement Officers' Records
- Open Records Counsel
- Complying with Requests for Copies
- Records Preservation and Destruction
- Municipal Public Records Guide
- Policy for Electronic Mail
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Records Management for Municipal Governments
- Reasons for Records Management
- Legal Issues
- Basic Steps in Records Management Process
- Establishing a Records Management Program
- Types of Records
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Records Retention Schedules
- Animal Control
- Cemeteries (City-Owned)
- Court Records
- Election Records
- Engineering
- Finance Records
- Fire Records
- Fleet Services
- General Administration
- Permits Records
- Personnel
- Planning and Zoning Schedule
- Police Records Schedule
- Property Tax Records
- Purchasing Records
- Recreation and Parks
- School Records
- Solid Waste Records
- Utilities (Billing and Collection)
- Utilities (Operation and Maintenance)
- Utilities (Wastewater and Water)
- Disposing of Certain Records
- Proper Storage Conditions
- Alternative Storage Formats
- Disaster Preparedness
- Public Record Forms
- Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Parks and Recreation
Planning and Zoning
-
Planning and Zoning
- Annexation
- County Functions Related to Cities
- Eminent Domain
- Public Works Projects
- Subdivision Regulation
- Types of Planning Commissions
- Zoning
-
Urban Forestry
- Definition of Urban Forestry
- Environmental & Economic Benefits
- Energy & Health Benefits
- Elements and Steps of an Urban Forestry Program
- Tree Inventory Plan
- Urban Forestry Management Planning
- Role of Tree Boards
- Tree Board Member Job Description
- Arborist (Staff) Job Description
- Best Management Practices
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Vested Property Rights
- Definitions of Vested Property Rights
- Vesting Rights and Periods
- Adoption of Local Ordinances
- Termination of Vesting Rights
- Development Standards Enforcement
- Development Plan Amendment
- Waiver Rights Prohibited
- Extension of Rights
- Zoning with Vested Property Rights
- Development Moratorium
- Eminent Domain with Vested Property Rights
- Next Steps for Vested Property Rights
- Summary of the Short-Term Rental Unit Act
Public Safety
-
Public Safety
-
Fire
- Ambulance Service
- Annual Reports
- Compensation and Employee Status of Volunteer Firefighters
- Conducting a Fire Flow Test
- Estimating the Travel Time of Fire Apparatus
- Fire Department Accreditation
- Fire Records Retention Schedule
- Firefighter Training and Certification
- Fire Service Resources
- FLSA Firefighter Definition
- Interchanging SCBA Cylinders
- Investigating Fires/Demolishing Buildings
- ISO Offers Free Services
- Lockdown Plans
- Mutual Aid
- Non-Profit Volunteer Fire Department Reporting Requirements
- Paramedic Can Serve as PLHCP
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Part-time Firefighters
- Protecting Public Water Systems
- Scope of Practice EMS Rule Overview
- State Recognition-Fire Department
- The Value of Volunteer Firefighters
- Video Recording Devices in Fire Service
- Water Needs of TN Fire Departments
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Police
-
Drug Fund
- Sources of Revenue
- Legitimate Expenditures
- Drug Fund Procedures
-
Confidential Fund Accounting and Forms
- A1 - Custodian's Activity Log for Confidential Funds
- A2 - Transaction Record of Confidential Funds
- A3 - Agents Activity Log for Confidential Funds
- A4 - Accountability of Confidential Funds
- A5 - Receipt for Payment to Informant
- A6 - Summary of Informant Payment Log
- A7 - Confidential Fund Monthly Reconciliation Report
- R1 - Report of Confidential Funds Requested or Returned
- Police Operations
- Police Officers
- Police Training
- Police Overtime
- Seizure of Property
- Police Retention Schedule
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Drug Fund
- Physical Fitness in Public Safety
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Fire
Public Works
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Public Works
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Environment, Health and Sanitation
- Local Air Pollution Regulations
- Boat and Marina Sewage & Land Application of Wastewater
- Environmental Protection Fund
- Underground Storage Tanks
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- Caves and Brownfields
- Animals
- Septic Tanks
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- Health Departments, Hospitals, and Mental Health Programs
- Smoking Ban
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Transportation
- Train Regulations and Transit Systems
- Operation of Motor Vehicles
- IRS Rules for Diesel Fuel and Gasoline Purchases
- Compressed Natural Gas for Municipal Fleets
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- Propane for Tennessee Fleets
- Fleet Management Tips
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Streets and Other Public Ways
- State & Interstate Highway System
- Street Construction
- Various Street Issues
- Traffic Control & Safety Regulations
- Establishing Speed Zones
- Opening and Closing of Streets
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Utilities
- General Provisions
- Utility Districts
- Utility Franchises
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Utility Rate Study (A Case Study)
- Beginning Steps
- Gathering Information
- Funding Water and Sewer Operations
- Legal Issues for Water and Sewer Operations
- Impact on Water and Wastewater Customers
- Charging Water and Wastewater Customers Fairly
- Developing a Financial Spreadsheet
- Additional Debt and Funding New Projects
- Analysis for a Rate Increase
- Phasing in New Rates
- Projecting New Revenue
- Building Support for an Increase
- Utility Construction-SCORE
- Relocation of Utilities
- Wastewater
- Definitions in Utilities
- State of Tennessee Requirements
- User Charges
- Water and Sewer System Security
- Rates
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- Tap Fees
- Service Fees
- Types of Fees
- Customer Accounting / Billing
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- Standards and Specifications
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Environment, Health and Sanitation
Risk Management
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