Rutherford County, Tenn. - This past week, Rutherford County Commissioners reviewed the proposed 2025–2026 fiscal budget… That was Commissioner Robert Peay, and despite urgent appeals from public safety departments, commissioners decided not to include pay raises for first responders in the county’s budget.

Currently, deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office earn $56,049 annually—roughly $8,500 less than their counterparts in Murfreesboro and Smyrna. The disparity places the Sheriff's Office behind not only local municipal departments but also agencies in Lebanon, Franklin, Brentwood, Nashville, Hendersonville, Gallatin, and Knoxville. According to a department focused county study, promotion-related raises are also notably slower and less competitive than in surrounding jurisdictions.

The same salary shortcomings impact county firefighters and paramedics. A Rutherford County firefighter earns approximately $10,000 less than a firefighter in Smyrna. Even Bedford County, a neighboring community that is 632% smaller, pays its fire personnel $2,100 more annually. Murfreesboro firefighters earn over $7,000 more than their county-employed peers.

Paramedics face similar challenges. In neighboring Wilson County, which has a population roughly 137% smaller than Rutherford County, paramedics earn about $7,000 more than their counterparts in Rutherford County.  In Macon County—with a population of just 27,000—paramedics are paid $27,000 more than those serving Rutherford’s 400,000 residents.

This pay gap has long-term consequences. Experts warn that low wages lead to high turnover, which costs taxpayers more in the long run due to recruitment, training, and loss of experienced personnel. Some fear Rutherford County is becoming a "training ground" for departments across Tennessee, as new hires earn their certifications before transferring elsewhere for better pay.

According to a 2024 study by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the highest turnover in law enforcement happens within three years of hiring, with 36% leaving within that window. If Rutherford County matches national trends, the Sheriff’s Office could lose 128 to 144 deputies every 3 to 5 years. With Franklin, TN estimating turnover costs at $100,000 per officer, this could translate into losses between $12.8 million and $14.4 million every three years.

In response, public safety departments in Rutherford County proposed modest increases. Patrol II deputies would receive a $3,975 raise (up to $60,024), while Booking Officers would increase to $52,156 from $46,461. Certified Firefighters would see their salaries rise by $8,798 (to $58,630), and county paramedics would earn $68,091, up from $60,687.

However, following a request by Mayor Joe Carr to Human Resource Director Sonya Stephenson to further study reasons for staff turnover… Commissioner Trey Gooch recommended postponing any decisions… Thus delaying proposed raises until next year… The commission unanimously voted to table the pay discussion… The vote pushes a potential raise vote to January 2026.