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City introduces draft MOU for study on consolidating emergency communications with Smyrna and Rutherford County
Summary
Staff introduced a draft memorandum of understanding to commission a third-party study to evaluate consolidation of public-safety answering points across jurisdictions, aiming to identify efficiency, interoperability and staffing benefits; no approval was requested today and the MOU will return when cost-sharing details are finalized.
Keith Bowen presented a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) among the City of Murfreesboro, the Town of Smyrna and Rutherford County to commission a third-party study on whether to consolidate emergency communications (PSAPs) into a single center.
Bowen said the study would examine call-processing efficiencies, interagency communication and any duplication of services. He said the city’s chief and the county’s public safety director were available to answer questions and that the chief had budgeted money for the study in the FY25–26 budget. Bowen emphasized the study is an initial step and could take months to complete depending on procurement and vendor timelines.
Chief Jason Irvin and Rutherford County public safety director Chris Lark were present and available during the discussion; Bowen said the draft MOU contains a maximum not-to-exceed amount for the study and that the MOU will require formal council approval to enter into the MOU and agree to the cost-sharing arrangement.
Council members asked about the timing and procurement approach; Bowen said the timeline would depend on vendor selection and the procurement process and that the MOU allows for additional jurisdictions to join. The item was treated as informational; staff said they will bring back the MOU and the specific cost-share proposal for formal council action.
What’s next: Staff will refine the MOU and cost-sharing details and return to the council for formal approval before any funds are committed.
