County Officials Certificate Training Program

Audit committees are crucial for good governance in local governments. This self-paced course covers best practices in creating and operating audit committees, including their objectives and functions. The course also explains how audit committees and management interact with external and internal auditors. It is recommended for county commissioners and audit committee members.

In this online training, we will explore the impact of reappraisal and ratios on budgets in county government. 

In this training, we will explore and define restricted sources of revenue, considerations, and substantial sources of revenue for funds. 

In this training, we will explore revenue sources in county government. In addition to state aid, there are several other sources through which counties and other governmental entities may use to fund operations. We will also discuss various sources utilized individually or in combination to suit each area of need. 

In this training, we will explore the budget committee’s process for submitting a budget to the full commission and their relationship with county officials/department heads on developing budgets.

Accounting for capital assets is often thought of as a nuisance and is a reminder of the 1980s “Roach Motel” TV ad slogan where “roaches check in, but they don’t check out.” Capital assets are the largest dollar amount reported in a government’s annual audited financial statements. This course is designed to enable finance professionals to track, record, and depreciate capital assets, which can have a significant effect on property management, insurance premiums, annual financial reporting, and audit findings.

In this self-paced online course, we will discuss the Cost Approach to Valuation in Mass Appraisal. The Cost Approach is one of the three accepted valuation approaches in Mass Appraisal. We will also discuss the depreciation and the methods of calculating the Cost Approach.

In this self-paced course, we will review the discipline and dismissal of public employees. The information discussed in the course is intended to help you familiarize yourself with the laws, rules, regulations, and lawful practices that affect the discipline and dismissal process. This course does not cover all issues that may arise. Also, the applicable laws, rules, and regulations are subject to change at any time.

This online training will discuss the education maintenance of effort laws in Tennessee and their local application. It will also cover the new TISA required local match and how it interacts with the maintenance of effort.

This course provides county employees with an overview of state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination, as well as an understanding of protected classifications and prohibited discriminatory practices. Participants will learn how to prevent discrimination in the workplace, with a particular focus on disability, race/color, age, national origin, sex, religion, and genetic discrimination.

The FMLA is a federal law that supports work-life balance for families. The law requires employers to allow eligible employees to take protected unpaid leave or paid leave for specific family and medical reasons. This online course covers eligibility criteria, calculating leave, mandatory notices, returning to work, special requirements for schools, and record-keeping requirements.

In this online training, we will discuss the most frequently asked questions from county employees and provide concise, actionable tips that will enhance duties in county government and enhance the overall performance of county offices.

This online training will discuss the legal and budgetary requirements of letters of agreement. 

This online training will examine some common methods used for forecasting revenue and also give some tips on developing expenditures.

In this self-paced course, you will be introduced to the income approach to value in Mass appraisal property valuation. This is one of the three accepted approaches to value. The income value is most commonly used when commercial properties with income streams appeal their value or submit the proper data and request for the income approach. This course will also help you understand the direct capitalization valuation method and some key terms and factors that go into the income valuation approach to value.

This self-paced course provides an overview of statistical math and concepts used in mass appraisal to prove uniformity. This course is also a good study guide for individuals who will be taking the IAAO course 300.

Tennessee counties function as political subdivisions to execute state policies. The General Assembly has broad control over county governments, but the state constitution limits its authority. Statutes are the primary source of county authority, but the constitution contains provisions addressing county government. This course provides an overview of the legal and financial structure of county government, as well as the main responsibilities of different county offices.

In this online training, we will discuss the legal aspects of Local Option Sales Tax, from adoption to distribution. Additionally, we will address the impact on your citizens, city budgets, and various funds within the county’s budget.

This basic income course will provide information on which properties to apply this to and what data is required to perform the income approach. In addition, it will provide best practices and experiences when working with this approach to valuation. Also, a full profit and loss demonstration will be part of the session to outline how to work the math and apply the data.  

When was the last time you looked at your office or county's personnel policy manual? It is important to ensure documents are up-to-date and meet TN requirements. In this class, you will receive valuable information that will assist in revising policy manuals and highlighting all necessary aspects of Personnel Policies law. We will cover how to update policies, important items to include and define the workweek for your office. Additionally, discuss any updates in TN personnel laws, highlighting priority policies.

This online training will cover county budget law deadlines and the budget memo and requirements from Local Government Finance.

This self-paced course provides an overview of the sales verification process and procedures for the State of Tennessee. It covers the TCA related to sales verification as well as some best practices. The course also has a section dedicated to the Sales Comparison Approach to Valuation. This is one of the three accepted valuation methods for Mass Appraisal. It focuses on sales grids, adjustments, and advantages and disadvantages to its use.

Property tax is the primary revenue source in most counties, imposed directly on property value. The tax follows the property even if it's sold or transferred. The imposition of property taxes involves four primary steps: classification, assessment, levy, and collection. Trustee is involved only in the fourth step.

Counties generate revenue through property taxes, which involve property classification, value assessment, tax levying, and collection. Property assessors appraise and assess property values, while the legislative body levies the tax, and the trustee collects it. This course will teach you how to explain the appraisal and assessment process.

In this one-hour training, we will review the property tax penny calculation and the impacts of property value growth on the penny value.

Orders of protection are commonly issued to provide additional protection to those seeking safety from abuse. However, understanding who qualifies for this type of protection, what constitutes a qualifying event, how long the order will last, and the legal terms such as petitioner, respondent, and ex-parte can be confusing. The purpose of this presentation is to guide you through the entire process of obtaining an order of protection, from the initial application to the final resolution of the case.