MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - Murfreesboro has secured a major legal victory in its fight against a local landfill expansion. Mayor Shane McFarland announced on Facebook that the Davidson County Chancery Court has ruled in the city's favor for a second time.

The legal battle involves the lawsuit City of Murfreesboro versus David Salyers as Commissioner of TDEC. Back in March, the court issued a Peremptory Writ of Mandamus. That order forced the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to stop processing the expansion permit for the landfill.

Last week, the Chancellor denied TDEC's motion to dismiss the case. The court found that the March order already decided the issues and no open questions remained. Mayor McFarland says this decision confirms the case is fully and conclusively resolved in the city's favor. McFarland thanked residents for their continued trust and promised to keep the community informed as the matter moves forward.

MAYOR MCFARLAND'S FULL COMMENT ON FACEBOOK

Landfill Lawsuit Update:

I want to share an important update with our residents about the City's ongoing legal matter in Davidson County Chancery Court (City of Murfreesboro v. David Salyers as Commissioner of TDEC).

Back in March, the Court ruled in the City of Murfreesboro's favor by issuing what is called a Peremptory Writ of Mandamus. In that ruling, the Court determined that the City had established its right to relief and directed TDEC to stop processing the permit application that would have allowed the proposed expansion of the landfill. We understood that decision to be a complete and final ruling on the issues we brought before the Court.

Last week, the Court confirmed that understanding. The Chancellor denied TDEC's motion to dismiss, finding that the issues raised had already been decided by the Court's March 6 Order and that no open questions remained. In short, the Court reaffirmed that our case was fully and conclusively resolved in the City's favor back in March.

This outcome reflects the City's commitment to protecting the interests of our community, and we are pleased that the Court has now twice ruled in our favor. We will continue to keep our citizens informed as this matter moves forward.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.