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Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS)

Displaying 1 - 70 of 70 Knowledgebase documents.
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Daily Cash Report
General (Created: 2010-09-09; Reviewed: 2021-06-17 )

An example of a simple daily cash report for the City of Plainview.
Data Analyst Job Description
Job Description (Created: 2021-07-30; Reviewed: 2021-09-15 )

A sample job description for a data analyst from the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Data Entry Operator A-1
Job Description (Created: 2021-07-20; Reviewed: 2022-02-16 )

The City of Memphis provided MTAS with a job description for a data entry operator A-1 in their city.
Dead Animal Pickup on Private Property: A Telephone Survey Conducted by the MTAS Library
Survey (Created: 2002-09-01; Reviewed: 2021-07-16 )

Ten cities were asked about their policies and procedures for picking up dead animals from private property.
Deannexation and the Payment of Property Taxes
General (Created: 2005-02-23; Reviewed: 2021-06-09 )

MTAS was asked about the process of deannexation (also known as 'contraction') and about the payment of property taxes for those who reside in the area to be deannexed.
Debt Reimbursement Resolution
Resolution (Created: 2010-09-15; Reviewed: 2021-04-22 )

A resolution expressing official intent that certain expenditures to be incurred in connection with certain public works projects and related expenditures be reimbursed from proceeds of notes, bonds, or other indebtedness to be issued by the City of Morristown, Tennessee.
Dedication and Acceptance of Sidewalks
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-10-31; Reviewed: 2020-07-06 )

MTAS was asked to analyze the law governing the dedication and acceptance of sidewalks.
Dedication of Streets That Are Essentially Private Driveways
Legal Opinion (Created: 1999-01-21; Reviewed: 2020-10-07 )

MTAS was asked whether it would be advisable for the Town to take over the maintenance, or accept the dedication as city streets, certain private driveways.
Deducting Union Dues for Firefighters
General (Created: 2002-03-13; Reviewed: 2021-05-20 )

MTAS was asked to research cities' requirements to deduct union dues from firefighters.
Deferring Property Taxes
Legal Opinion (Created: 2000-07-21; Reviewed: 2021-07-21 )

MTAS was asked whether it is legal for the city to defer taxes on property annexed into the city but not yet receiving all city services.
Defined Benefit Retirement Plans and Benefits
General (Created: 2014-10-20; Reviewed: 2021-05-07 )

MTAS provided examples of retirement plans from several cities and information from TCRS.
Definition of Grandfathering in the Sense of Allowing a Preexisting Use to Continue Despite a Later Regulation
Legal Opinion (Created: 1996-05-23; Reviewed: 2021-06-18 )

"Grandfathering" is allowing an existing operation or conduct to continue legally when a new operation or conduct would be illegal.
Delinquent Property Taxes
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-01-09; Reviewed: 2021-06-21 )

Analyzes law governing right of city to waiver penalty and interest on property taxes.
Delinquent Utility Bills Survey
Survey (Created: 2014-02-11; Reviewed: 2021-04-26 )

Six cities were asked who collects delinquent utility bills and about the payment for these services.
Demolishing an Old Building That Shares a Party Wall with an Adjoining Building
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-11-21; Reviewed: 2021-04-28 )

MTAS advised city of potential liabilities in demolishing condemned building which shares "party wall" with adjoining property owner.
Demolition Bond in a Historic District
Legal Opinion (Created: 2001-02-12; Reviewed: 2021-04-29 )

MTAS was asked whether it is legal for the city to require a bond to secure the demolition of a building within the historic overlay.
Demolition of Dilapidated and Unsafe Buildings
Legal Opinion (Created: 1998-01-20; Reviewed: 2021-04-20 )

MTAS was asked whether there is any legal way to require the local Farmer's Coop to demolish a large cattle feeding bin on its property.
Denying a Business License to a Person Whose Business Establishment is in Violation of the City's Zoning Ordinance
Legal Opinion (Created: 1996-02-08; Reviewed: 2021-06-18 )

MTAS was asked whether the city can deny a business license to a person whose business establishment is in violation of the city's zoning ordinance.
Department Assistant Directors in Selected Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2017-12-01; Reviewed: 2021-04-14 )

MTAS surveyed 11 cities regarding Assistant or Deputy Directors in a number of departments in their cities.
Depositories for City Funds
Legal Opinion (Created: 1997-11-17; Reviewed: 2021-07-01 )

MTAS was asked why a city is not permitted to deposit city funds in credit unions.
Design Review Commission Resolution
Resolution (Created: 2009-03-03; Reviewed: 2021-06-29 )

A resolution creating a design review commission for the Town of Pittman Center.
Design-Build Contracts
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-01-25; Reviewed: 2021-08-19 )

MTAS was asked about the legal authority of municipalities to let design-build contracts.
Determining Quorum Number Required to Pass Motions
Legal Opinion (Created: 2018-06-01; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

An MTAS attorney response to a question regarding the number of aldermen required to vote and pass items on the agenda not related to the city's present alderman vacancy.
Development and Impact Fees in Selected Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2019-02-01; Reviewed: 2021-07-01 )

A survey of selected cities regarding development or impact fees.
Development of a Proposed Sewer System for Estill Springs
Report/Study (Created: 2001-08-06; Reviewed: 2021-05-12 )

Recommendation that Estill Springs connect with a neighboring town's sewer system.
Differences Between Modified Manager-Commission vs Manager-Commission Form of Government
General (Created: 2009-08-31; Reviewed: 2021-07-08 )

MTAS was asked to discuss the differences between the manager-commission form of government and the modified manager-commission form of government.
Differential Tax Rates and Questions from the Charter Commission
Legal Opinion (Created: 1996-01-17; Reviewed: 2021-07-08 )

MTAS was asked whether differential tax rates within taxing districts and special services districts authorized under the Charter Government Unification Act would violate the Tennessee Constitution and several other questions by the Charter Commission.
Director of Development Services
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-24; Reviewed: 2021-07-09 )

Job description for the position of Director of Development Services.
Director of Finance
Job Description (Created: 2017-08-17; Reviewed: 2021-07-01 )

Job description for the Director of Finance in a Tennessee city.
Director of Finance
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-24; Reviewed: 2021-07-01 )

Job description for the position of Director of Finance.
Director of Golf/Head Professional
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-25; Reviewed: 2021-06-01 )

Job description for the position of Director of Golf/Head Professional.
Director of Health
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-24; Reviewed: 2021-04-15 )

Job description for the position of Director of Health.
Director of Human Resources
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-24; Reviewed: 2021-04-28 )

Job description for the position of Director of Human Resources.
Director of Library
Job Description (Created: 2005-01-24; Reviewed: 2021-07-15 )

A job description for the position of library director
Director of Utilities and Public Works Job Description
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-27; Reviewed: 2021-07-21 )

Job description for the position of Director of Utilities and Public Works.
Disaster Response Documents
General (Created: 2011-04-18; Reviewed: 2021-07-12 )

A collection of documents that includes disaster cleanup bid documents, FEMA 322 Disaster Response, and USACE Scope of Work Example.
Disciplinary Appeals Processes in Selected Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2015-07-31; Reviewed: 2021-04-28 )

MTAS asked twenty-six cities about their disciplinary appeals process and the city manager's role in that process.
Discretion of Town to Refuse to Allow New Taps
Legal Opinion (Created: 1994-02-03; Reviewed: 2021-04-22 )

MTAS was asked whether the Board of Mayor and Aldermen may refuse to allow new taps to the municipal water system outside the corporate limits.
Disease Management Program RFP or RFQ
General (Created: 2006-02-08; Reviewed: 2021-07-20 )

MTAS was asked about the use of an RFP for a 'Disease Management Program.'
Dismissing an Employee for Refusing to Take a Polygraph
Legal Opinion (Created: 2011-01-04; Reviewed: 2021-04-28 )

MTAS was asked whether an employee can be dismissed for refusal to take a polygraph test.
Dispatcher
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-26; Reviewed: 2021-07-12 )

Job description for the position of Dispatcher.
Dispatcher, Lead
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-26; Reviewed: 2021-07-12 )

Job description for the position of Lead Dispatcher.
Dispatcher/Computer Supervisor
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-26; Reviewed: 2021-07-12 )

Job description for the position of Dispatcher/Computer Supervisor.
Dispatcher/Records Clerk
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-26; Reviewed: 2021-07-12 )

Job description for the position of Records Clerk/Dispatcher.
Disposing of an Abandoned Vehicle
General (Created: 2016-02-03; Reviewed: 2021-07-26 )

MTAS provided information on the process to dispose of a private vehicle that was abandoned.
Disposition of Court Costs, Litigation Tax Revenues, and Fines
General (Created: 2004-12-22; Reviewed: 2021-07-27 )

MTAS was asked to provide a summary of distribution of court costs, fines, and litigation taxes.
Disposition of Seized Cash
General (Created: 2004-06-01; Reviewed: 2021-06-29 )

MTAS was asked about the proper procedures for storing cash seized by the police department.
Disposition of Unclaimed, Lost, or Abandoned Personal Property in Possession of Police Department
Legal Opinion (Created: 1996-12-17; Reviewed: 2021-07-03 )

MTAS was asked what disposition a city can make of unclaimed, lost, or abandoned personal property in the possession of the police department, such as, but not limited to, money, bicycles, automobiles, etc.
Dissolution and Reinstatement of an Industrial Development Board
General (Created: 2014-02-18; Reviewed: 2021-06-18 )

MTAS was asked whether an IDB is automatically dissolved if they do not meet and how an IDB might be reinstated.
Dissolution of Airport Authority
Legal Opinion (Created: 2005-06-16; Reviewed: 2021-06-18 )

MTAS was asked whether a city could abolish the airport authority that it created.
Distribution of Authority Over City School System
Legal Opinion (Created: 2007-02-13; Reviewed: 2021-07-15 )

MTAS was asked questions related to the city school system, particularly with respect to the distribution of authority over the system between the city governing body and city school board. Questions related to charging tuition and closing school buildings.
Divorced Employee Claimed He Was Married and Entitled to City-Sponsored Family Health Insurance Coverage
Legal Opinion (Created: 2000-06-07; Reviewed: 2021-06-15 )

MTAS was asked whether it would be appropriate for the city to terminate an employee who falsely claimed that he was still married and therefore, entitled to city-sponsored family health insurance coverage, when, in fact, this employee was divorced.
Do-It-Yourself City Street Paving: MTAS Library Survey
Survey (Created: 2011-06-14; Reviewed: 2020-10-07 )

Twenty-two cities were asked whether their city performs DIY street paving and how they made their decision.
Documentation Retention of Closed Files
Legal Opinion (Created: 2022-03-28; Reviewed: 2022-04-01 )

MTAS Legal Consultant Elisha Hodge responded to a Tennessee municipality's request for information regarding records retention and public records.
Does an Employee Have a Right to a Salary Increase by Virtue of Provisions Made in the Budget for Salary Increases
Legal Opinion (Created: 1992-07-23; Reviewed: 2021-06-21 )

MTAS was asked whether an employee has a right to a salary increase by virtue of provisions made in the budget for salary increases.
Does the City Have to Operate a City Court?
Legal Opinion (Created: 1994-02-16; Reviewed: 2021-07-27 )

MTAS was asked whether the City has to operate a city court.
Does the City Have to Pay the County to Incarcerate Prisoners Arrested and Prosecuted for State Law Violations by the City?
Legal Opinion (Created: 1996-01-29; Reviewed: 2021-06-30 )

MTAS was asked whether the city has to pay the county to incarcerate prisoners arrested and prosecuted for state law violations by the city.
Does the Tennessee Open Records Law Require a City to Mail Any Record to a Newspaper?
Legal Opinion (Created: 1999-02-10; Reviewed: 2021-07-06 )

MTAS was asked whether the city is required under the Tennessee Open Records Law to mail to a newspaper information packets it provides to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, or any other city records.
Dog Park Creation and Regulation
Survey (Created: 2014-11-18; Reviewed: 2021-06-01 )

Eight cities were asked several questions about off-leash dog parks, including: use of a feasibility study; funding model; design guidelines; and, regulations or ordinances.
Drafting a Sewer Ordinance
General (Created: 2004-11-05; Reviewed: 2021-07-26 )

Guidelines for ordinance and statute drafting.
Drain Easements in Selected Tennessee Cities
Survey (Created: 2019-02-01; Reviewed: 2020-07-08 )

Nine Tennessee cities were surveyed to find out how they handle drainage easements.
Drainage Law and the Responsibility of the Design Engineer
General (Created: 2022-03-25; Reviewed: 2022-05-27 )

A PowerPoint presentation for the Tennessee section of ASCE.
Drainage Problems of Private Property Owners
Legal Opinion (Created: 2003-06-03; Reviewed: 2020-07-08 )

MTAS was asked to analyze the law relative to drainage problems with respect to private property owners.
Drainage Work Notice
Form (Created: 2015-06-17; Reviewed: 2020-10-07 )

This drainage notice letter template may be used to notify property owners that maintenance activities will be conducted on a drainage way that crosses their property.
Drainage Work on Private Property
General (Created: 2005-03-08; Reviewed: 2021-04-15 )

MTAS was asked to provide technical assistance on issue of public works department doing work on private property.
Drug and Alcohol Testing of City Employees
Legal Opinion (Created: 2014-10-30; Reviewed: 2021-06-15 )

MTAS was asked whether all city employees may be tested for drugs and alcohol.
Drug Forfeiture Funds
Legal Opinion (Created: 2002-02-21; Reviewed: 2021-06-29 )

MTAS was asked whether money received from fines and forfeitures in drug cases may be used to make a contribution to a law enforcement association or for police training.
Drug Task Force Financial Officer
Job Description (Created: 2002-09-26; Reviewed: 2021-05-12 )

Job description for the position of Drug Task Force Financial Officer.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Fire Chief
Report/Study (Created: 2000-11-02; Reviewed: 2021-07-12 )

Discusses the duties and responsibilities of the Paris, Tennessee, Fire Chief.
Duties and Time Allocation for Street Department Employees: an MTAS Survey
Survey (Created: 2011-02-28; Reviewed: 2020-07-16 )

Twelve cities were asked several questions about the duties and time allocation for their street department employees.