MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Murfreesboro City Council will meet this Thursday evening, December 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Chambers for a full agenda that includes major city purchases, rezonings across several neighborhoods, an amendment to the city’s Ethics Code, and multiple transportation and infrastructure-related contracts. Public comment will be accepted on all actionable items at the start of the meeting.

Ethics Codes: Among the more closely monitored legal items on the agenda is Ordinance 25-0-41, which proposes an amendment to the City Ethics Code. Any changes to ethics regulations typically draw increased public scrutiny as they directly affect standards of conduct, transparency measures, and enforcement procedures for city officials and employees. Some of the highlights outlined when it comes to ethics and gift giving can be seen below as reported by WGNS. 

Gift Giving (Ethics): In September, the Murfreesboro City Council adopted a new Ethics Code for city officials and employees, which generally prohibits the acceptance of gifts but allows certain exceptions. However, those exceptions were referenced through state law rather than being clearly listed in the ordinance, creating confusion among some city employees about what gifts are allowed. Ordinance 25-O-41 is intended to clarify the types of permissible and prohibited gifts by adding more specific guidance to the Ethics Code.

Officials and employees may accept non-cash gifts valued at $50 or less, as long as the circumstances do not suggest the gift is meant to influence an official action. Cash, checks, and gift cards are never permitted under this except

Informal Gifts (Ethics): may also accept informational materials, such as books, articles, publications, audio or video recordings, and similar educational resources. Promotional items or sample merchandise are allowed if they are routinely given to customers or suppliers in normal business operations.

Awards (Ethics): Honorary awards and tokens of appreciation—such as plaques, trophies, or desk items recognizing public service—are permitted as long as they cannot be readily converted into cash.

Personal Gifts (Ethics): Gifts motivated by close personal friendship are allowed even if they exceed $50, as long as the gift is reported to the City Recorder.

Meals and Lodging (Ethics): City officials and employees may accept food, meals, refreshments, beverages, and entertainment provided at a work-related event, if the total value does not exceed $50 per person per occasion. They may also accept meals, travel expenses, amenities, and entertainment tied to regular meetings or events of professional membership organizations, so long as they are members, speakers, or panel participants. Similarly, gifts connected to government-sponsored conferences—such as lodging, meals, admission tickets, exhibitor promotional items, and health screenings—are allowed when provided through an established organization of local government professionals. 

Reporting Gifts (Ethics): If any prohibited gift is accepted, the official or employee must report the gift within 14 days to the City Recorder, including a description, estimated value, who gave it, and why it was accepted. Reporting the gift does not protect the individual from discipline. Failure to report the gift creates a separate violation, which can also lead to disciplinary action.

Planning: In the area of public works and planning, council members will consider a mandatory referral for the abandonment of a drainage and detention easement along Captain Joe Fulghum Drive, which could impact surrounding development. Old business on the agenda includes a FY26 budget amendment and the second and final reading of Ordinance 25-0-40, which finalizes adjustments to the city’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Technology: Additional technology and public safety-related spending is also on the consent agenda. These items include the purchase of CommonLook software for city communications, a software interface from Tyler Technologies for the Murfreesboro Police Department, and the purchase of used equipment and vehicles for various law enforcement agencies. An engineering contract amendment related to transit route and bus shelter placement is also included, as well as continued financial support for the city’s Barracuda data backup system used by Water Resources.

Zoning: Several land use and rezoning requests slated for public hearing and first reading are expected to draw community interest and potential controversy. These include a plan of services, annexation and zoning request for 3.95 acres along Blackman Road, a rezoning of 0.29 acres along East Burton Street and North Spring Street, and a rezoning of 6.12 acres along Bridge Avenue and New Salem Highway. Each request could affect nearby neighborhoods, traffic patterns, and future commercial or residential development.

The council is also scheduled to review sewer allocation variances tied to new or expanded development projects, including a variance for a McDonald’s location along Joe B. Jackson Parkway and another for MTSU on-campus housing along Alumni Drive. These requests relate to wastewater system capacity and are often closely watched as indicators of growth pressure and infrastructure demand.

Infrastructure and public safety also figure prominently in the December 4 meeting. The council will vote on a final change order for Patterson Park improvements, a contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for FY25 operating assistance, and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) transfer requests. Additional proposals include the purchase of a fairway mower and sprayer for the city’s golf department, 2026 health benefits service agreements for city employees, and revisions to the Thompson Lane widening appraisal contracts.

Emergency Response: Public safety coordination and emergency response capacity will also be addressed through a proposed memorandum of understanding between Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne and Rutherford County law enforcement agencies, as well as the purchase of Pierce fire trucks for the Murfreesboro Fire Department. The council will also consider the Rutledge Way extension project from the Engineering Department, which could influence future traffic flow and development.

The remainder of the agenda includes board and commission appointments, consideration of beer permits, approval of payment of city financial statements, and time reserved for other business and adjournment. With multiple large expenditures, zoning changes, and governance-related items scheduled for action, the December 4 Murfreesboro City Council meeting is expected to draw significant public attention.

Read More: If you would like to learn more about future Murfreesboro City Council Meetings or Agendas, visit the City of Murfreesboro’s website: MurfreesboroTN.gov/AgendaCenter