UT County Technical Assistance Service

10/16/2026

What can CTAS help you with?

Quite a lot.

Our staff provide technical assistance and expertise to county officials and their staff across the many responsibilities of county government — from finance, budgeting and legal issues to highways, property assessment, public safety, environmental services, information technology and more.

Explore our services: https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/our-services

10/15/2026

The next Media Relations for Newly Elected Officials class is this week!

Instructor Deanna Lambert will help newly elected county officials strengthen their communication skills across television, print, podcasts, and social media. Participants will learn to deliver clear messages, handle interviews, and confidently answer difficult questions while maintaining public trust and credibility.

This class is open to any county official (first-time or re-elected!) who wants to improve their communication skills!

Upcoming sessions:
• Oct. 20 | 9 a.m.–noon EDT | Knoxville — Crown Plaza
• Oct. 22 | 9 a.m.–noon CDT | Franklin — Franklin Marriott Cool Springs

Earn 3 COCTP Choice Elective/Recertification credits. This training meets COCTP choice elective requirements.

Register now: https://tennessee.csod.com/default.aspx?p=tennessee&c=utips-ctas-nu&dlink=%2fDeepLink%2fProcessRedirect.aspx%3fmodule%3dlodetails%26lo%3d327101b8-3495-4f86-9e7b-74ae920b28b9

10/09/2026

New to county government? Or maybe it’s been a while since you’ve called on CTAS?

The County Technical Assistance Service provides technical assistance, training and information to Tennessee’s elected and appointed county officials and their staff.

For more than 50 years, CTAS has helped county officials and their staff navigate the responsibilities of county government.

Whether you have a question related to your county role, need technical assistance or simply aren’t sure where to start, CTAS is here to help.

Learn more about who we are and what we do:

Watch this quick video to find out who we are at County Technical A...

10/08/2026

Tom Brashear, CTAS environmental consultant, and Gabe Looney, CTAS property assessment consultant and manager of technical consultants, joined the latest episode of In Touch with Tennessee to discuss data centers — what they are, why development is accelerating, community concerns, zoning considerations and the role of local government.

Give it a listen! 👂

In the latest episode of In Touch with Tennessee, we talk with three of our planning and property value experts to unpack what a data center is, why communities are hearing so much about them now, and what local governments can realistically do. https://www.ips.tennessee.edu/podcast

Visit the Center for Local Planning website to find its Model Data Center Regulations for cities and counties. https://clp.tennessee.edu/resources

10/07/2026

Want to communicate more effectively at work?

Communicating Like a Pro will cover practical tips for speaking, writing and email communication with instructor John Dunn, Director of Communications for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.

📅 November 4
⏰ 9:30–10:30 a.m.
💻 Zoom
🎓 1 COCTP Choice Elective/Recertification credit

🔗 Register today:
https://tennessee.csod.com/default.aspx?p=tennessee&c=utips-ctas-nu&dlink=%2fDeepLink%2fProcessRedirect.aspx%3fmodule%3dlodetails%26lo%3d29f72d2b-4843-4226-ae74-6d11b9225d3e

10/07/2026

We’re so proud to see CTAS Criminal Justice Consultant Derrick Woods recognized for his many years of service to Cocke County and communities across Tennessee.

Derrick brings decades of law enforcement, training and community leadership experience to his work with CTAS, and we’re fortunate to have him on our team.

Congratulations, Derrick, on this well-deserved recognition! 🥳

10/07/2026

The UT Center for Local Planning has released a new resource for Tennessee county governments: Model Data Center Zoning Regulations.

The guide provides model language counties can review and adapt as part of their local zoning regulations. These model regulations are provided as a drafting resource for county governments with adopted zoning standards.

View the new county model data center zoning regulations guide and other Center for Local Planning resources at https://clp.tennessee.edu/resources.

10/06/2026

Newly elected officials: Are you ready for your next media interview?

Join communications expert and former television news reporter Deanna Lambert for Media Relations for Newly Elected Officials. Learn how today’s media operates, how to deliver clear and consistent messages, and how to respond to interviews and difficult questions with confidence.

Choose from three upcoming sessions:
• Oct. 20 | 9 a.m.–noon EDT | Knoxville — Crown Plaza
• Oct. 22 | 9 a.m.–noon CDT | Franklin — Franklin Marriott Cool Springs

This training meets COCTP choice elective requirements and offers 3 COCTP Choice Elective/Recertification credits.

Reserve your seat today! Register: https://tennessee.csod.com/default.aspx?p=tennessee&c=utips-ctas-nu&dlink=%2fDeepLink%2fProcessRedirect.aspx%3fmodule%3dlodetails%26lo%3d327101b8-3495-4f86-9e7b-74ae920b28b9

09/29/2026

🚨Blount County is HIRING! They are seeking qualified candidates for an open Environmental Health Manager position. Learn more or apply: https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/county-employment

09/28/2026

Two Ethics training opportunities remain—register now!

Join instructor Stephen Austin, CTAS Legal Consultant, to learn how to identify and prevent conflicts of interest, understand ethics laws and potential penalties, and address ethical challenges before they become issues.

Upcoming sessions:
• Sept. 29 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CDT | Nashville — IPS Training Facility at Polk Ave.
• Oct. 1 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CDT | Jackson — Jackson Energy Authority

Participants can earn 4 COCTP Core/Recertification credits. A score of 70% or higher on the online post-test in K@TE is required for successful completion; retakes are available.

Don’t miss your chance to attend! Register: https://tennessee.csod.com/default.aspx?p=tennessee&c=utips-ctas-nu&dlink=%2fDeepLink%2fProcessRedirect.aspx%3fmodule%3dlodetails%26lo%3dfac2ddbc-8858-4c5f-8b49-531f6fe3349c