Commission staff reported on office space buildout, vacancies, FY26 budget status and grants: office expansion seats 28; three vacant positions will be assessed after appeal cycle; commission expects more than $8,000,000 in grants to schools and an ADM true-up this month.

A summary of formal motions and roll-call outcomes from the Oct. 20 State Board of Equalization meeting.

The Saltillo Utility District said it has limited supply and cannot extend service beyond the existing 5/8‑inch meter; the board urged the petitioner to submit a full engineering request and left the complaint open for follow‑up.

A McMinn County developer told the board a planned subdivision cannot move forward because an on‑site drip system reportedly bought for the project cannot be used; the board kept the complaint open and asked staff to coordinate further with TDEC and the utility.

A property owner seeking sewer service near Egypt Central Road argued a stub and gravity line near his parcel entitled him to service under a new Tennessee statute. Memphis officials said the city’s gravity sewer line is in the right-of-way, not on the owner’s parcel, and the board dismissed the complaint.

The board accepted staff recommendations for the City of Friendship, which has been involved in litigation with a private water company about contaminated supply and a multi‑million dollar judgment; staff asked for capital project approvals and required follow‑up documentation and oversight.

The board directed the town of Centerville to cease charging variable sewer fees tied to water use for customers who have access but are not connected, ordered a rate study by mid‑February and said utilities need a minimum (non‑variable) access charge for those properties.

The Tennessee Local Development Authority voted to adopt policy and guidance for the State Infrastructure Fund (SIF) after staff collaborated with the Tennessee Department of Transportation; the SIF received $50 million in the state's FY 2026 budget, and the guidance mirrors SRF borrower policies.

The commission voted 5‑1 to uphold the local denial of Iota Community Schools’ application for a new 10‑year charter at Hillcrest High School, citing three consecutive years of the lowest TVAS rating and very low proficiency rates.

Staff from the Comptroller of the Treasury told the State Board of Equalization audit committee that new scheduling tools, status conferences and case management practices have reduced inertia in the appeals process but that filings are at record levels and a small number of firms represent most pending cases.

The Tennessee Local Development Authority on Oct. 20 approved a $27 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to help finance a new wastewater treatment plant for the City of Springfield. The 20-year loan carries a 2.93% interest rate and no loan forgiveness; the board voted unanimously.

The Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation took no action on a complaint from developer Tennessee Downs against Bedford County Utility District over water flow and fire suppression capacity along U.S. 231. Board staff will meet with parties and report back at the December meeting.

The board approved three Fast Track awards — to MOLLE Industries; Nidec Motor Corporation; and Lochinvar LLC — supporting 300 net new jobs and roughly $92.9 million in capital investments, staff said. Two awards include accountability agreements; a training grant to Lochinvar is reimbursed by headcount.

The commission voted 6-0 to uphold Memphis Shelby County Schools’ denial of a new 10‑year charter term for Iota Community Schools to operate Kirby Middle School, citing a sustained history of low academic performance and unrealistic enrollment projections.

The commission upheld Memphis Shelby County Schools’ denial of Still I Rise Academy’s amended application, finding the record did not meet the state rubric for an Opportunity public charter school.

The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission voted 6-0 on Oct. 17 to uphold Memphis Shelby County Schools’ denial of DreamCatchers Charter School’s application, concluding the record did not meet required standards for academic, operational and financial readiness.

The board approved amendments to contested case procedures to clarify filing protocols, remove references to the sunset Assessment Appeals Commission and refine rules governing appeals involving classification, valuation and exemptions. A public commenter representing assessors of property expressed support and suggested future automation for a due

The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission approved committee recommendations and adopted multiple policy and rule updates, and approved the TISA accountability report; votes included LEA policy 5104, commission policies 3.71 (first reading) and 3.01 (final reading), and two commission rules on final reading.

The Tennessee State Board of Equalization on Oct. 20 approved reappraisal plans from 20 counties, including one contingent approval for Shelby County pending a signed memorandum of understanding between the county and the Division of Property Assessments.

Staff presented the Opportunity Public Charter School Framework, a TISA accountability update, strategic plan benchmarks and a new online complaint process with an eight-day follow-up timeline; the executive director reported the commission received a four-year recommendation at its sunset hearing and that emergency replication rule review was also

The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission voted to overturn local school board denials and approve two new-start charter applications — Jackson Museum School (Jackson Madison County) and Rocketship Tennessee #4 (Rutherford County) — after staff recommended both met the state rubric and would be in the best interest of students and their hostLE

Residents pressed the Town of Oakland for answers about recent $100–$400 utility bills while officials outlined a $25 million wastewater plant expansion, explained revenue sources and said bookkeeping and communication failures helped fuel confusion.

Two parents told the Oak Ridge Board of Education they feel insufficiently informed about pending state legislation affecting school choice, potential funding changes, and policies on DEI and immigration enforcement presence in schools. The superintendent offered to have staff follow up.

Commission recognized employees (biodiversity biologist, wildlife technician and wildlife biologist of the year) and heard partner briefings on the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program and the Hunting & Fishing Academy, both intended to expand recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) of outdoor participants.

TWRA presented a biennial review of the state threatened and endangered species list proposing to elevate the teardark darter to 'endangered,' remove two taxa not recognized by the American Fisheries Society, and standardize nomenclature.