Tennessee Code Title 67. Taxes and Licenses § 67-1-1621

(a) In case the county mayor refuses to make the motion or bring the suit, after the written request of any taxpayer to do so, then any taxpayer of the county may make such motion or bring suit in the name of the state, for the use of the county, and employ counsel to conduct the cause; provided, however, that before making such motion or bringing suit, the taxpayer shall obtain leave of the judge of the court in which the motion is to be made or the suit brought to do so. The taxpayer shall make such application in writing, stating fully the grounds for the application, of which application the county mayor shall have five (5) days' written notice, stating the time and place of application.

(b) The judge shall hear the application at chambers or in term time, and may adjudge the costs of the application against the applicant, against the county mayor, or against the county as the judge shall deem just, and the judge shall enter judgment upon the record of the judge's court accordingly.