Murfreesboro City Council continued to meet with department heads on Thursday evening for the third of six special meetings where they are reviewing proposed budget plans for the upcoming 2018/2019 Fiscal year.

Prior to the series of meetings, each department head has been asked to reduce their spend by 10%. While most taxpayers would applaud this effort on reflex if nothing else, it often requires a gutwrenching decision by those department heads to look most closely at the people who make their department run. It doesn't appear that any of the leaders are looking at staff reductions as a first choice but because nearly 3/4 of all spending by the city is invested in personnel, it is often an unavoidable outcome.

Once the meeting is called to order each individual department head is asked to give a report describing their departments' accomplishment followed by a description of the challenge ahead and potential solutions that will enable that individual department to meet their goal of reducing operational expenses by 10%.

The council members then sift through the numbers and details asking further questions, suggesting alternatives or affirming the proposal.

Joey Smith, Director, of the Murfreesboro Solid Waste Department which is responsible for garbage and yard waste collection informed the council that there are 1,700 new carts since this time last year. That incredible growth aside, Mr. Smith also proposed closing of the cities Main Street convenience center. The center is the city's sole recycling center and closing it would save the city $120000 without really impacting the level of service due to the fact that the Haley road recycling center operated by the county is only a mile away.

It does appear there could be plans for a tax assessment to the 50000 plus homes in Murfreesboro to address the growth of the Solid Waste Department. That assessment will likely be realized incrementally on a per can or per household basis. It should also be noted that the council previously agreed to such a plan but it was not put in motion because of the details of exactly how that billing would take place.

When city Finance Director, Melissa Wright spoke, she revealed that the new certified tax rate for the city will be .9494 which is down from the previous certified tax rate of 1.206 and shared that the city is in the early stages of exploring a potential assessment on Airbnb homes in the city.

Other suggestions coming from the meetings include new revenue streams through fees and permits and an increase to the impact fee for developers.

The will continue in Council Chambers on Tuesday at 4:00PM.