RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - Over the past five years, there has been considerable discussion surrounding a proposed Rutherford County Forensics Center, which has repeatedly failed to secure enough commission votes to move forward. Establishing such a center would require the county government to contribute at least $15 million... That was Rutherford County Commissioner Craig Harris, who believes the county should hold off on building a forensics center and instead focus on implementing a significant pay raise for first responders in the county…

The City of Murfreesboro approved pay raises earlier this year, increasing salaries for first responders by approximately $3,000 for police officers, $6,000 for firefighters, and around $12,000 annually for paramedics. Meanwhile, first responders employed by Rutherford County continue to leave their positions as the county struggles with employee retention due to higher salary levels not only in Murfreesboro but also in other nearby communities.

Rutherford County Commissioners already approved a 6% pay raise that took effect this past October, which included a 4.25% cost of living adjustment and a 1.75% step increase for eligible county employees. However, Commissioner Harris suggested that additional funds are needed to further boost county first responder salaries… Harris noted that it makes sense for some firemen to leave their job with the county and move to an equal job that pays more…

Harris and several Rutherford County officials will continue to explore a potential pay raise for first responders, aiming to bring salaries up to levels comparable to those in surrounding counties and cities, with the goal of retaining skilled workers. He suggests that $15-million earmarked by the county mayor for a forensics center should instead be allocated to make these first responder pay raises a reality… 

One proposal for a forensics center calls for it to be built on land in Smyrna, next to the county clerks office. There, the county owns 17-acres in the area of Weakley Lane and G Street, near the Smyrna / Rutherford County Airport. But again, nothing is concrete at this point and the idea remains just that - - an idea.