Rutherford County approves Smyrna development agreement to advance forensic center; vote 19–1

Rutherford County commissioners voted 19–1 on July 17 to approve a development agreement with the Town of Smyrna that authorizes construction-related water, sewer and stormwater work and a long-term maintenance plan tied to a new county forensic center and an EMS station. The resolution authorizes the county mayor to execute the agreement and referenced exhibits attached to the resolution.

The vote followed questions about project funding. Commissioner Oliver asked for clarification after raising an apparent discrepancy in public statements about the budget, saying he had heard both $15,000,000 and $19,100,000 mentioned. An unidentified county staff member responded: "So, originally, there was 15,000,000 appropriated for the construction of the forensic center on Weekley Lane. Subsequently, there was $4,400,640 that was allocated to the project for the site work, construction of an EMS station, and some additional parking lot work ... And so that's a total funding for that piece of $19,400,640." The staff member also said there had previously been about $900,000 allocated for architect and design work and referenced a purchasing-committee contract of roughly $14,900,000.

Commissioner Peay relayed information from Smyrna staff about customary city fees, saying the city's costs related to road, sewer and water work were "approximately $50,000," and the county's meeting- and administrative-related costs were described as another roughly $14,000, producing an estimated combined fees figure "about $64,000." The resolution's text was also adjusted on a drafting point to ensure both the development and the maintenance agreements were expressly approved and to remove duplicated language regarding liability insurance.

The motion to approve the agreements was made during the meeting and, following roll call, passed with 19 votes in favor and 1 opposed. The documents authorize the county mayor to execute the development and maintenance agreements; commissioners were told the funding for the work had been previously appropriated rather than requiring new county funds.

The commission did not alter the underlying appropriation amounts at the July 17 session; members asked staff to confirm the funding breakdown in the official file and to correct the resolution language before finalization. The county clerk will preserve the signed exhibits as part of the county legislative record.