Tennessee Code Title 8. Public Officers and Employees § 8-24-108

(a) In the event that the fees, etc., collected by the sheriffs in any of the counties within §§ 8-24-101 -- 8-24-103 and 8-24-106 -- 8-24-109 do not in any month amount to a sum sufficient to pay all other necessary and legitimate expenses incurred in the proper and efficient administration of the sheriff's office, including the guaranteed compensation of the sheriff, then the shortage of such compensation and expenses as herein provided shall be paid out of the public funds of the counties each month.

(b) In the event that fees, etc., collected by the clerks of the criminal court in any of the counties within §§ 8-24-101 -- 8-24-103 and 8-24-106 -- 8-24-109, do not in any month amount to a sum sufficient to pay all proper, necessary and legitimate expenses incurred in the proper and efficient administration of the sheriff's office, including the maximum compensation allowable to the clerk of the criminal court, then the shortage of such compensation and expenses herein provided shall be paid out of the public funds of the county each month.