Tennessee Code Title 11. Natural Areas and Recreation § 11-21-102

(a) Upon petition of not less than two hundred (200) qualified voters in any county to the county legislative body thereof, the county legislative body shall submit to the people of the county at the next general county-wide election the question of whether a county conservation board shall be created as provided for in this chapter. If at the election the majority of votes polled are for the creation of a county conservation board, the county legislative body shall within sixty (60) days after the election, create a county conservation board. In the alternative, the county legislative body in any county may, by a majority of all its members, also create a county conservation board in that county, as provided for in this chapter, without petition and referendum. As a further alternative, any county having a population of more than two hundred eighty-seven thousand (287,000) according to the 1980 federal census may, by a majority vote of all the members of the county legislative body, adopt chapter 24 of this title, for the effective management of a parks and recreation department. Furthermore, these alternative provisions relating to counties of populations greater than two hundred eighty-seven thousand (287,000) and to chapter 24 of this title shall have no effect unless the county legislative body approves by a two-thirds ( 2/3 ) vote a resolution accepting as applicable these provisions. Approval or nonapproval of such resolution shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the legislative body, and certified by the presiding officer to the secretary of state.

(b) If created by any of these three (3) methods, the board shall consist of a minimum of five (5) bona fide residents up to a maximum of nine (9) bona fide residents of such county. The members shall hold office for staggered terms, not to exceed five (5) years, as indicated and fixed by the county legislative body. When any member of the board, during the term of office, shall cease to be a bona fide resident of the county, such member shall thereby be disqualified as a member of the board and such member's office shall thereupon be declared vacant. Members of the board shall be selected and appointed on the basis of their demonstrated interest in conservation matters and shall serve without compensation, but may be paid their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. All reimbursement for travel expenses shall be in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.