As an alternative to a board of workhouse commissioners, any county may, upon the recommendation of the county mayor and a resolution passed by a two-thirds vote of the county legislative body, place the operation, supervision and control of the county workhouse under the administrative control of the county mayor. If a county chooses this alternative, the county mayor shall possess the same powers, duties and responsibilities as are provided by law for the board of workhouse commissioners. T.C.A. § 41-2-104(h)(1)(A).

The provisions of T.C.A. § 41-2-104(h)(1) shall not apply in any county having a population of not less than 319,625 nor more than 319,725 according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census. T.C.A. § 41-2-104(h)(2).