Tennessee Code Title 6. Cities and Towns § 6-18-108

(a) After the adoption of this charter and the election of the commissioners, a majority of whom are elected for a four-year period as provided in subsection (b), no election for the surrender of this charter shall be called or held for a period of four (4) years from the date the first board of commissioners shall take their respective offices.

(b) After the expiration of the four-year period, and upon the filing of a petition in the same manner as provided for the adoption of chapters 18-22 of this title containing the signatures of the same number of registered voters and praying for a surrender of such charter, an election shall be held to determine whether or not the same shall be surrendered; provided, that in case of a failure to surrender such charter, the election shall not be held more frequently than at two-year intervals thereafter. For a four-year period after the first board of commissioners shall take office, the cost of calling and holding such an election shall be borne by those petitioning therefor if such election does not result in a surrender of this form of charter. Should such election, however, result in a surrender, the cost of such election shall be borne by the city and following the expiration of such four-year period the cost of such election shall be borne by the city.