Tennessee Code Title 6. Cities and Towns § 6-52-104

Where any incorporated municipality, city or town is compelled to surrender its charter by reason of the taking of its property by any governmental agency, corporation, association, firm, partnership or individual vested with the authority to purchase or condemn or take the properties of such incorporated municipality, city or town under the power of eminent domain, the proceeds derived from the taking of such municipal properties shall belong to, and become vested in, such taxpayers in proportion to the amount of such taxes paid or owing by such taxpayers to such incorporated municipality for the year that the first property or properties are acquired by such governmental agency, corporation, association, firm, partnership or individual; provided, that where no taxes have been assessed for such year, then the next preceding tax year shall constitute the basis for distribution. Such distribution shall be made only after payment of all indebtedness owing by such municipality, city or town incorporated under the laws of this state.