Tennessee Code Title 71. Welfare § 71-5-2111

(a) County legislative bodies may unite in the establishment of joint homes, hospitals, almshouses or poor farms for the care of the indigent or the chronic sick of the respective counties.

(b) The legislative body of a county, by majority vote at any regular session, may sell or otherwise dispose of the property owned by the county and used for such purposes, and may contract with one (1) or more other counties for the joint ownership, construction, control and operation of a common institution, or may contract with one (1) or more other counties for the care of its indigent or chronic sick persons in institutions owned, controlled and operated by the other county or counties.