MURFREESBORO, TN - Rutherford County’s digital assistant, Smart Rutherford, has taken a bold step forward in accessibility. The platform now speaks more than 100 languages, opening the door for residents from diverse backgrounds to connect with local government services in ways that feel natural and inclusive. Assessor of Property Rob Mitchell says, "The upgrade is more than a technical achievement—it’s a promise to the community. This multilingual capability is a cornerstone of our commitment to accessibility for every Rutherford County resident. We are actively building a government that is more responsive and engaged with every single citizen, ensuring that language is no longer a barrier to essential information and services.”

Mitchell explained how it works, "Residents can simply text 629-218-4977 with questions about their community. Smart Rutherford automatically detects the language and responds in kind, eliminating the need for translation services during basic inquiries. While the system currently focuses on property-related questions, its reach is expanding quickly."

Smart Rutherford isn’t stopping at county services. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is already using the platform to share updates on highway projects in Rutherford County. With its adaptive design, officials say the system can grow to include city and state services, limited only by imagination. The platform’s new features go beyond language. Property tax estimates now include clear disclaimers that values are for estimation purposes only, ensuring transparency. Email formatting issues have also been corrected, making communication with elected representatives cleaner and more reliable.

Mitchell encourages all citizens—especially those who prefer to communicate in languages other than English—to try the system and experience its benefits firsthand. “We strongly encourage everyone to explore Smart Rutherford,” he said. “It’s about making sure every voice in our community is heard.”

With innovation at its core, Smart Rutherford is proving that technology can be both practical and compassionate, bridging divides and strengthening the bond between government and the people it serves.