Macon County’s Newly Elected Officials attended COOP Before Assuming the Position

By Misty Gammons-Green

Macon County’s newly elected commissioners joined Mayor Shoulders at the 2026 County Officials Orientation Program, or COOP, Aug. 24-25 in Murfreesboro, preparing for the responsibilities they will assume in office. The program, presented by the University of Tennessee’s County Technical Assistance Service, gave local officials an overview of county government operations, legal obligations and fiscal responsibilities. COOP is designed for both newly elected and returning county officials as they prepare to take office. Tennessee law requires newly elected or appointed county commissioners to complete CTAS orientation training within 120 days of their election or appointment. Mayor Shoulders and the Macon County commissioners received information on open meetings, public records, personnel matters, ethics and conflicts of interest. The sessions also addressed the organization of county government and the ways constitutional offices and county departments work together to provide public services. Additional training covered environmental decisions, commissioner training requirements, maintenance- of-effort obligations, budgeting, property reappraisals and appraisal cycles, and publ ic safety. The orientation offered participants practical insight into the decisions and challenges they may face while serving Macon County residents, from meeting transparency requirements to managing public resources and coordinating among county offices. CTAS provides commissioner training intended to help officials understand their duties and make informed decisions for their communities.

(In the photo)

Newly elected Macon County Commissioners recently pictured while attending orientation for their new county seats among law makers. Pictured (l-r) Aaron Shipley, Kristie Turner Doss, Maverick Hesson, Lisa Spivey, and Jason Brawner.