Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-9-129: Damages for rights-of-way paid by authority of county legislative body, or upon condemnation

(a) The commissioners elected under this chapter shall not expend the money obtained by the sale of any road bonds for any rights-of-way without first being authorized to do so by the county legislative body, or for any release, or for any damage growing out of the road building in any way or manner, unless it is after condemnation proceedings where it becomes necessary to condemn land for the purpose of barrow pits, or rock quarries for the purpose of obtaining rock for the roads or dirt to make fills where the cuts are not sufficient to make the fills.

(b) The commissioners shall have the right, where it is not possible to obtain rights-of-way otherwise, to condemn land or buildings for rights-of-way.