Murfreesboro council approves multiple purchases, grants and budget changes; proclaims Public Safety Telecommunications Week

Murfreesboro — At its March 26 meeting the Murfreesboro City Council approved a package of routine purchases, grants and budget adjustments and issued a proclamation honoring emergency telecommunications personnel.

Mayor Shay McFarland read a proclamation designating April 12–18, 2026, as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week and presented the Murfreesboro Emergency Communications 91 Telecommunications Communicator of the Year recognition to Jean Smith, citing her professionalism and 11 nominations from peers.

On action items, the council approved Resolution 26 R-11 to update the Occupational Safety and Health Environmental Program plan; staff said the change updates the city's plan to meet new requirements and has no fiscal impact. Council also accepted a $4,000 Safety Partners matching grant (Resolution 26 R-14) to support facility maintenance, solid waste and airport operating expenses; Mr. McGuigan commented, "Free money."

Other approvals included joining a group purchasing cooperative (Resolution 26 R-12) to allow the city to piggyback on other entities' bid pricing, and a school budget amendment recognizing $49,696 (Resolution 26 R-13) to cover federal-program revenue adjustments and an insurance recovery for vehicle damage.

The council approved an agreement with Midsouth Bus Center to purchase six school buses for a total of $1,014,000, with funding identified primarily from county shared bonds; a council member later clarified that one special-education bus will be funded by impact fees. The council also approved a $75,706 contract to replace stair treads and decking at the Burro Beach slide tower (CIP-funded).

Public-safety and equipment purchases approved included $67,003 for audio/video equipment for the police Real Time Crime Center (M3 Technology), $176,862 for 22 mobile radios and accessories from Motorola for patrol cars, and $117,500 for a replacement Bleier air fill system for SCBA tanks (staff said the current system is about 20 years old and no longer meets NFPA standards). The council also approved a two-year $167,546 amendment to the Penn Link software contract to add licenses and hardware for large-scale narcotics and violent-crime investigations, funded through the Violent Crime Fund Grant.

The council approved routine fleet and safety purchases: a $129,800 annual software renewal for EMS charge software, three new administrative vehicles totaling $147,479 to replace aging units, and a phased purchase of 40 sets of turnout gear totaling $187,500 to move toward NFPA 1851 guidelines. The clerk recommended approval of a beer permit for a new restaurant at 2033 Lancaster Pike, pending final inspections. Mayor-submitted appointments of Ben Weatherford and Candy Joyce to the Rutherford County Board of Equalization were received and approved.

All action items on the agenda were moved, seconded and approved on roll call votes during the meeting. Several council members made brief remarks of appreciation for community events and school foundation support during general comments. The meeting concluded with announcements about local events and adjournment.

Attribution: Most factual details derive from presentations and staff remarks during the March 26 meeting.