Murfreesboro council approves $1.2M mobile command center and several equipment purchases

Murfreesboro’s City Council on April 23 approved a series of procurement items led by the purchase of a 40-foot mobile command center, a 1.2 million dollar project funded in the city’s FY26 capital improvements program.

Chief Bowman described the vehicle as a self-contained, communications-equipped command post that duplicates the dispatch center’s mobile CAD and phone systems and can host up to 17 people in the field. He told council staff had toured the factory and expects delivery within 14 months, with project managers seeking an earlier June delivery for July 3–4 operations. “This will significantly enhance the city’s ability to coordinate and manage emergency response operations during critical incidents,” the chief said.

Council also approved a $197,839 replacement of playground equipment at Murphy Spring Wetlands, presented by Miss Singer, citing failing equipment and unavailable replacement parts; the purchase will use CIP playground funds and a purchasing co-op contract.

Public works staff (Miss Smith) won approval to buy a replacement John Deere backhoe at about $116,000 (budgeted in the FY26 budget at $125,000) with a five‑year/5,000‑hour extended warranty, and council approved amendment No. 1 to an LJ task order for the water asset management plan, adding $51,750 and bringing the task order total to $114,250 to maintain the plan and associated dashboard until staff can assume in‑house maintenance.

Council votes on these items were carried by roll call with members present. The mobile command center, playground replacement, backhoe purchase and LJ amendment were each moved, seconded and approved during the meeting.

The council also approved the routine conveyance of a retired police canine to its handler and authorized a drainage study and other smaller airport and licensing items during the same meeting. The meeting adjourned after brief announcements from the mayor.