Hatch Act Modernization Guide for State and Local Employees

You just won an election for your municipal office. Now what? We address some common questions of when and how you take office, who may administer your oath, and what information should be included the oath of office in this document. Sample oath templates for boards, judges and other offices are included for Tennessee municipal use.

In addition to these resources, an MTAS CityByte on the topic is available here: https://rise.articulate.com/share/DcT1KC6L7NuUrEMeHEmSrFCim_drEr7E#/

It covers questions such as when do you take office, who can swear you in, what should be in the oath and what's next.

MTAS was asked whether the local telephone company should be paying franchise fees and what recourse city residents have if they want to use another telephone company.

A Resolution Declaring a Public Necessity for a Competing Local Telecommunications Company in the City of _______ Tennessee and Requesting the Tennessee Regulatory Authority to Certify a Competing Local Telecommunications Provider to Operate Within the Corporate Limits; includes a sample letter to commence telecommunications service.

MTAS was asked about the legality of the bidding process the city used to purchase a fire truck.

MTAS was asked about the status of an irrevocable letter of credit provided to the city by a developer who subsequently went bankrupt.

MTAS was asked whether the city has any legal way to terminate the contract between the city and the county for the distribution of the city's share of the sales tax that presently goes to the county.

MTAS was asked whether "on hold" music and other material played over city's phone system is a violation of the copyright laws.

MTAS was asked about monetary obligations and health insurance owed to the city attorney if the city terminates his contract.

MTAS was asked whether a municipal court may suspend a person's driver's license for non-driving violations.