In counties under the CUHL, the chief administrative officer of the county highway department has general control over the location, relocation, construction, reconstruction, repair, and maintenance of the county road system as well as the other administrative tasks which are conferred by the general law, plus any other authority granted by private act which does not conflict with the general law.  T.C.A. 54-7-109. 

In many counties without a highway commission, a committee of the county legislative body is often formed as a liaison and advisory board, but in CUHL counties, this committee only recommends actions to the chief administrative officer and advises the county legislative body as a whole on road matters.