MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Murfreesboro City Council will convene for a workshop meeting on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the Airport Business Center to review key financial and development items shaping the city’s future. The agenda includes major discussions on the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Budget, a budget amendment ordinance, and a hotel/motel occupancy tax audit aimed at ensuring accurate tax collections from local lodging establishments.

Finance Director Erin Tucker will present the FY26 CIP budget, which includes $65.3 million in General Fund debt-funded projects and $33.1 million for Water Resources projects, with additional funding for fire rescue apparatuses and airport improvements. The plan emphasizes responsible budgeting, infrastructure expansion, and support for economic development — including enhancements to city facilities, parks, and public safety resources.

Summary: Murfreesboro Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax Audit Discussion - At the upcoming Murfreesboro City Council Workshop on Thursday, November 13, 2025, one of the major agenda items under review will be the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax Audit led by the Finance Department.

The purpose of this audit is to ensure that all lodging establishments within the city are accurately reporting and remitting the required occupancy taxes. The audit will be conducted in partnership with Strategic Vision Advisory Group, PLLC, and will cover tax reporting periods between 2023 and 2025. This review comes in response to recent fluctuations and apparent declines in room occupancy tax revenue that the city uses to fund tourism, convention, and infrastructure-related projects.

During the previous council meeting, Finance Director Erin Tucker emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency and fiscal accountability in tax collections. The audit will help identify discrepancies or unreported earnings from hotels, motels, and short-term rentals to ensure all businesses contribute their fair share to the city’s revenue base.

The council is expected to discuss authorizing the audit agreement, including scope, cost, and reporting procedures. City officials noted that this review aligns with Murfreesboro’s ongoing effort to strengthen financial oversight and maximize tourism-related revenues without increasing tax rates for residents.

The results of the audit could lead to process improvements in how the city collects and monitors occupancy taxes, ensuring continued support for public safety, parks, and infrastructure investments that benefit both residents and visitors.

Recap - Highlights from the Previous City Council Meeting:

At the October 16, 2025 retreat, the City Council reviewed the preliminary CIP and made several revisions before this month’s workshop. Among key changes were the removal of $30,000 originally budgeted for utility carts and an increase to $40,000 for the Old Fort Golf Course cart fleet replacement, reflecting a stronger focus on recreational amenities. Funding for the Water Resources Cherry Lane project was postponed to a later year after determining that immediate funding was unnecessary.

During the same session, the Council also approved several notable accomplishments:

• Investment in Public Safety: Funding was prioritized for new fire stations, ladder apparatus replacements, and specialized rescue equipment, supporting the city’s continued growth and emergency response needs.

• Infrastructure and Parks Expansion: Progress continued on Veterans Park, McKnight Park improvements, and the Cherry Lane Corridor project, all central to enhancing community recreation and accessibility.

• Technology and Facility Improvements: The City advanced modernization projects, including citywide fiber infrastructure upgrades, cybersecurity enhancements, and facility renovations like ADA improvements and City Hall security upgrades.

Looking Ahead - Thursday’s meeting will also include consideration of Resolution 25-R-24, authorizing reimbursement for school roof replacement projects, and an audit agreement with Strategic Vision Advisory Group, PLLC, to review hotel/motel occupancy tax reporting from 2023 through 2025. The audit aims to ensure fairness and compliance while addressing declines in room occupancy tax revenues.

The City Council will also discuss rezoning ordinances along Bill Smith Drive, Old Salem Road, and East Kingwood Drive, as well as upcoming road development and vehicle purchases across city departments.

WHERE TO FIND THE AGENDA: The workshop is open to the public, and residents are encouraged to review the full agenda on the City of Murfreesboro’s official website. See agenda to City Workshop Meeting HERE (PDF)

LOCATION: The Murfreesboro City Council will meet in a Regular Workshop meeting at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at the Municipal Airport Business Center, Community Room, 1930 Memorial Blvd., to vote on action items and discuss items with staff.