Tullahoma - Subject to local approval, allocates 3.8 percent of each annual operating budget, but not less than $1.5 million, to the maintenance of streets and roads within the city limits of the City of Tullahoma. - Amends Chapter 553 of the Acts of 1903.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Rush Bricken

Tullahoma must allocate 3.8% of its annual operating budget (min $1.5M) each year starting 2025-2026 for streets and road maintenance, pending two-thirds council approval.

Signed by Senate Speaker

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Purpose and intent

The bill amends Chapter 553 of the Acts of 1903, and any amendatory acts, to establish a dedicated funding mechanism for maintenance of streets and roads within the City of Tullahoma.

Starting with the 2025-2026 fiscal year, it requires that a portion of the city’s annual operating budget be allocated specifically for road maintenance, with a minimum annual dollar floor.

Key provisions

Funding mechanism (Sec. 34):

Beginning with fiscal year 2025-2026, 3.8% of each year’s operating budget of the City of Tullahoma must be appropriated for expenditures dedicated to maintenance of streets and roads within the city limits.
In any event, the annual appropriation shall not be less than $1,500,000 (one million five hundred thousand dollars).

Severability (Sec. 2):

If any part of the act is found invalid, the remainder remains in effect to the extent possible.

Local approval requirement (Sec. 3):

The act has no effect unless approved by a two-thirds majority of the City of Tullahoma’s legislative body.
Approval or disapproval must be proclaimed by the presiding officer and certified to the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Effective date (Sec. 4):

For purposes of approving or rejecting the provisions, the act becomes law upon the governing body’s approval (public welfare requiring it).
For all other purposes, it becomes effective as provided in Section 3 (i.e., upon local approval).

Who is affected

City of Tullahoma:

The city’s budgetary process would be adjusted to routinely set aside 3.8% of the annual operating budget (capped by the $1.5 million minimum) specifically for street and road maintenance.
Local government approval is required (two-thirds vote) to implement the provision.

City residents and road users:

Potentially better-maintained streets and roads within Tullahoma due to protected funding for maintenance.

Timeline and procedural aspects

The funding provision takes effect beginning with the fiscal year 2025-2026, subject to local (city council) approval.

The bill’s passage is contingent on a two-thirds vote by the City of Tullahoma’s legislative body; otherwise, it has no effect.

Legislative action history shows committee referrals and calendar placements in 2026, with final action pending local approval.

Notes

The text does not specify how “operating budget” is defined beyond the general interpretation of city operating budgets.

The minimum $1.5 million ensures a baseline funding level even if the city’s total operating budget is small relative to 3.8%.

If you’d like, I can add a short comparison to similar local funding mechanisms in other Tennessee municipalities or draft a one-page explainer for residents.

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