Tennessee Code Title 13. Public Planning and Housing § 13-14-103

(a) It is the intent of the general assembly that the various counties and cities be provided the most effective and efficient means of organizing themselves on a regional basis for the purpose of carrying on general and comprehensive planning and development activities, such that would provide coordinated, efficient and orderly economic development of the state. It is the further intent that local governments through such regional agencies be guided and assisted in making maximum use of federal, state and local programs designed to stimulate economic development and utilization of resources. It is the further intent of this chapter that the planning function of government be separated from the plan implementation function, leaving to existing county, municipal and state governments and their instrumentalities the carrying out of all plans for physical, economic and resource development, as provided for under existing laws. However, it is the intent of the general assembly that development districts may perform the implementation function with respect to the public guardianship program created by title 34, chapter 7.

(b) It is the further intent of this chapter that, in order to ensure the success of regional planning and development as herein defined, the state may provide minimum financial assistance on a matching basis to such boards for purposes of staffing and providing other planning and administrative services, in accordance with the state's policy of furthering the economic development of the state.