(a) As a part of the Institute for Public Service, there is created a county technical advisory service to provide studies and research in county government, publications, educational conferences and attendance at the conferences, and to furnish technical, consultative and field services to counties of the state in problems relating to fiscal administration, accounting, tax assessment and collection, law enforcement, improvements and public works, and in any and all matters relating to county government.
(b) This program shall be carried on in cooperation with and with the advice of counties in the state acting through the Tennessee County Services Association and its board of directors, which is recognized as their official agency or instrumentality.