As a further alternative to a board of workhouse commissioners, any county may, upon recommendation by the county mayor and by resolution of the county legislative body, place the operation, supervision and control of the county workhouse under the administrative control of the county sheriff. Administrative control of the workhouse shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the county legislative body and the sheriff may agree. Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, the agreement between the county legislative body and the sheriff may provide for the payment of additional compensation to the sheriff for such services. If a county chooses this further alternative, the sheriff shall possess the same powers, duties and responsibilities as are provided by law for the board of workhouse commissioners, unless otherwise provided by the agreement between the county legislative body and the sheriff. T.C.A. § 41-2-104(h)(1)(B).

The provisions of T.C.A. § 41-2-104(h)(1) shall not apply in any county having a population of not less than 319,625 nor more than 319,725 according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census. T.C.A. § 41-2-104(h)(2).