In 1971, Knox County and the City of Knoxville acted jointly to create the Public Building Authority of the County of Knox and the City of Knoxville, Tennessee (the "PBA").  The Certificate of Incorporation of the PBA was filed with the Secretary of State of Tennessee on July 20, 1971.  Over the years, the Public Building Authority has carried out joint and individual projects for Knox County and the City of Knoxville and affiliated entities such as the Knox County Board of Education and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority.  PBA currently develops, constructs, owns, and/or maintains certain facilities on behalf of the City Knoxville and Knox County pursuant to operating contracts with those entities.

Following is a list of responsibilities carried out by the PBA:

• Construction, management, operation and lease of various public facilities owned by the PBA.
• Construction, management and operation of facilities owned by Knox County and the City of Knoxville.
• Specification, acquisition, maintenance, operation and supervision of the telephone and telecommunication infrastructure owned by Knox County and/or the City of Knoxville.
• Provision of telecommunications consultation and advice for/to Knox County and/or the City of Knoxville.

PBA's involvement in a project can be structured in one of four ways:

• PBA can own and construct the project.
• The municipality can own the project, and PBA can construct the project pursuant to an operating agreement.  Construction and professional contracts are then in PBA's name.
• The municipality can own the project, and PBA can oversee construction as agent for the municipality.  The construction and professional contracts are then in the municipality's name.
• PBA may act as a consultant, advisor and/or subject matter expert in completing studies, project plans and similar activities.