Murfreesboro council adopts updated FY26 capital plan and budget amendment to buy fire trucks

The Murfreesboro City Council on Nov. 13 approved an updated fiscal year 2026 capital improvement plan and a related budget amendment that funds three fire trucks and other carryforward projects.

Erin, a finance department staff member, told the council the revised CIP moves Patterson Park roof repairs and Bradley Academy water-intrusion repairs into FY26 at costs of $350,000 and $320,000 respectively and reclassifies a $40,000 Old Fort Golf utility-cart line into the golf-cart fleet. She said the city’s FY26 projects total a little under $66,000,000 — about $4,000,000 less than last year — and that water-resources projects remain at $33,000,000. "If approved, we'll come back to council next month or in January with a bond resolution to issue the new debt for these projects whenever we're ready," Erin said.

Council then considered Ordinance 25-040, a budget amendment that staff said cleans up FY25 carryforwards for community development and the airport fund and includes funding for three additional fire apparatus totaling $7,200,000. The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote with all members recorded as voting aye.

Council also approved Resolution 25R-24, a reimbursement resolution allowing the city to proceed with roof repairs at Cason Lane and Scales Elementary and reimburse those costs from future bond proceeds. Erin described that line item as $4,000,000 for roof repairs.

Mayor McFarland and councilmembers said the changes reflected earlier retreat discussions and supported moving forward with bond authority when staff determines timing is appropriate. The council’s approvals set the funding direction; staff will return with the bond resolution and implementation timing.

What’s next: staff said they will return with a bond resolution to issue new debt when market conditions and project readiness align.