MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Murfreesboro City Council voted Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, to approve a $95,000 consulting contract with Thrivence, LLC to conduct an organizational and operational assessment of the City’s Planning Department (See the agenda for the meeting was held early on Thursday HERE).
Mayor Shane McFarland said the goal is to “enhance operational efficiency and organizational effectiveness” as Murfreesboro continues to grow past 175,000 residents. “Increasing demand on the Planning Department requires evaluation of the organization’s structure, operational functions, and workflow to identify areas of improvement,” McFarland added.
The Planning Department oversees the physical development of the community, reviewing development plans for compliance with city ordinances and regulations. It also provides information and guidance to residents, developers, and stakeholders regarding land use and zoning.
According to city officials, the upcoming assessment by Thrivence will serve as a benchmark of the department’s current and future capabilities while helping to optimize new permitting software solutions recently adopted by the city.
A Request for Competitive Sealed Proposal (RFCSP) was issued July 8, 2025, and nine proposals were submitted by the Aug. 20 deadline. After evaluation through a point-based selection process, Thrivence was chosen as the lowest and most responsible bidder.
The firm’s review will include process mapping, workflow optimization, and interdepartmental coordination, as well as organizational structure analysis, staffing assessment, and management systems evaluation.
Thrivence will deliver the following as part of its scope of work:
- Operational Assessment Report
- Organizational Structure Recommendations
- Operational Improvement Recommendations
- Performance Management Framework
- High-Level Implementation Roadmap
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- All contracts are pending legal review.For more information about the City’s Planning and Zoning Department, visit murfreesborotn.gov/2355/Planning-and-Zoning.
