The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury has issued a new resource outlining 10 Fiscal Health Principles for local governments and school districts heading into the next fiscal year. In an April 7, 2026 memo from Comptroller Jason E. Mumpower, county mayors, commissioners, directors of schools, school board members, finance directors, and other local officials are encouraged to use a newly released resource outlining 10 Fiscal Health Principles designed to strengthen long-term financial stability and reduce the risk of unexpected budget challenges.
The guidance is intended to support annual budget development and key financial decision-making by promoting early coordination between school districts and their local funding bodies. It highlights practical steps that can improve planning and communication throughout the budget cycle, with emphasis on areas that commonly affect approvals and compliance—such as multiyear planning, meeting statutory deadlines, maintenance of effort requirements, personnel cost planning, fund balance policies, capital planning, internal controls, and transparent communication.
The Comptroller’s Office notes that early communication, careful projections, and attention to legal requirements can help prevent delays and support a smoother budget approval process. A detailed version of the guidance and a concise summary are available, with the summary attached to the memo. Resources can be accessed at tncot.cc/guidance.
Questions may be directed to Tara Bergfeld in the Division of Local Government Finance at Tara.Bergfeld@cot.tn.gov or 615-401-7730.