Tennessee Code Title 5. Counties § 5-19-110

(b)(1) Within the limits of a budget and of a salary plan to be approved by the county governing body, the superintendent shall hire all employees and fix their duties, except that the engagement of technical consultants, advisers and legal assistants shall be subject to the approval of the governing body.

(2) The superintendent, with the approval of the governing body, may fix the compensation of all employees.

(c)(1) The superintendent, with the approval of the governing body, may acquire and dispose of all property, real and personal, necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

(2) Title to such property shall in all cases be taken in the name of the county.

(d)(1) The superintendent, subject to the approval of the governing body, shall let all contracts.

(2) The superintendent may, however, make purchases of personalty up to a cost of five hundred dollars ($500), within budgetary limits, without the approval of the governing body, subject, however, to such rules governing such purchases as the governing body may prescribe.

(3) Any contract for construction exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000) shall be advertised by the superintendent for bids.

(4) Where the county has a central purchasing authority, purchases made for the purposes herein contemplated shall be processed through such authority.