Tennessee Code Title 7. Consolidated Governments and Local Governmental Functions and Entities § 7-56-201

(a) Any municipality or any county or any combination of municipalities and counties may establish an authority to provide for the continuation of rail service within the area of the governments establishing the authority.

(b) An authority shall come into existence under the terms of this part when any government or combination of governments specified in subsection (a) vote by majority vote of its governing body to establish an authority. Evidence of such authorization shall be proclaimed and countersigned by the presiding officer of each participating county or city and certified by such officer to the secretary of state. The governing bodies of all governments voting to become members of an authority shall indicate their willingness to appropriate sufficient funds to provide for the initial administration of the authority as a part of the authorization process.

(c) Within the region of the authority, it may acquire, construct, operate, maintain, and dispose of railroad facilities, properties, and equipment, and may, in addition to continuing railroad service, provide any other rail service in the region as it is needed and feasible.