Key takeaways
- Tennessee state government spent $53.1 billion in fiscal 2024, the 20th most of any state.
- Statewide purchasing runs through the Central Procurement Office, and vendors register and find bids in Edison supplier portal.
- The fiscal year starts July 1; the governor's FY2028 budget proposal usually comes Feb. 1; a new governor has until March 1.
- The 2027 legislative session convenes Jan. 12 and is scheduled to adjourn April 22.
- A new governor, Marsha Blackburn, takes office Jan. 16, 2027.
Tennessee government at a glance
| Fact | Tennessee |
|---|---|
| State spending, FY 2024 | $53.1 billion (20th of 50) |
| Fiscal year starts | July 1 |
| Next budget | FY2028 · proposal usually Feb. 1; a new governor has until March 1 |
| 2027 legislative session | Jan. 12 to April 22 (101 days) |
| Governor-elect | Marsha Blackburn, takes office Jan. 16, 2027 |
| Central procurement office | Central Procurement Office |
| Bid and vendor portal | Edison supplier portal |
| State CIO | Kristin Darby, State Chief Information Officer |
| Local governments | 902 total, including 451 special districts and 14 school districts |
| Public power and co-op utilities | 60 public power utilities and 25 electric co-ops |
| State prison population | 24,408 (end of 2023) |
How Tennessee buys
- Central purchasing. The Central Procurement Office handles statewide contracts and purchasing rules for state agencies.
- Where bids are posted. Edison supplier portal is where vendors register and find state solicitations.
- Registering as a vendor. Our Tennessee vendor registration guide walks through the steps, fees and documents.
- Agencies and local buyers. Many agencies, universities, cities, counties and school districts buy on their own or through cooperative contracts; see our cooperative purchasing guide.
Budget and legislative calendar
- Fiscal year. Tennessee's fiscal year starts July 1. The next budget covers FY2028.
- Governor's proposal. Usually released Feb. 1; a new governor has until March 1. Status as of Nov. 8, 2026: not yet released. Track it in our governor budget proposals tracker.
- 2027 session. Convenes Jan. 12 and is scheduled to adjourn April 22. See the 2027 legislative session calendar.
- New administration. Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn takes office Jan. 16, 2027. New administrations often bring new agency leaders and priorities; see new governors in 2027.
Technology and AI
- State CIO. Kristin Darby, State Chief Information Officer, leads the Strategic Technology Solutions. See the full state CIO directory.
- AI policy. Our tracker counts no executive orders, 1 law and 3 agency policies on government AI use, plus an AI office or council. See the state AI policy tracker.
- How IT buying works. See how state agencies buy technology.
Largest public buyers in Tennessee
The biggest Tennessee entities on our national rankings. Each one runs its own budget and, in most cases, its own purchasing.
| Buyer | Type | Size | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson | City | 721,074 residents (2025) | 20 of 100 largest cities |
| Memphis | City | 609,647 residents (2025) | 29 of 100 largest cities |
| Shelby County | County | 910,226 residents (2025) | 65 of 100 largest counties |
| Davidson County | County | 745,904 residents (2025) | 92 of 100 largest counties |
| Shelby County | School district | 105,596 students (fall 2021) | 24 of 100 largest districts |
| Davidson County | School district | 80,381 students (fall 2021) | 41 of 100 largest districts |
| Knox County | School district | 60,426 students (fall 2021) | 66 of 100 largest districts |
| Nashville International | Airport | 12,549,304 passengers boarded (2025) | 25 of 100 busiest |
| Frederick W Smith International/Memphis | Airport | 2,368,014 passengers boarded (2025) | 67 of 100 busiest |
| Metro Water Services | Water utility | 778,153 people served | 34 of 208 largest |
| Memphis Light, Gas and Water | Water utility | 659,500 people served | 46 of 208 largest |
| Nashville Electric Service | Public power utility | 463,455 electric customers (2024) | 10 of 50 largest |
| Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division | Public power utility | 423,338 electric customers (2024) | 11 of 50 largest |
| Memphis (TN) Police | Police department | 2,012 sworn officers (2016) | 18 of 50 largest |
| Metropolitan Nashville (TN) Police | Police department | 1,403 sworn officers (2016) | 31 of 50 largest |
| Shelby County Sheriff's Office | Sheriff's office | 619 sworn personnel (2016) | 19 of 50 largest |
Sources: KSG rankings of the largest cities, counties, school districts, public universities, transit agencies, airports, water utilities, public power utilities, police departments and other lists. Figures are from each list's source year.
Local government and utilities
- 902 local governments. That includes 451 special districts and 14 school districts. See special districts by state.
- Utilities. 60 public power utilities and 25 electric cooperatives serve 3,660,552 customers, 99% of the state. See Tennessee utilities.
- Budget cycles. Cities, counties and school districts set their own fiscal years; see city and county budget calendars.
Tennessee state holidays in 2027
Besides the 11 federal holidays, Tennessee state offices close on these days in 2027:
- Good Friday: Friday, March 26 (About a dozen states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky (half day), Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas)
See the full 2027 federal and state holiday calendar.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities. We research Tennessee buyers, time outreach to state and local budget cycles and get you in front of the people who own the problem you solve. See how our state and local sales development works.
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