Rutherford County commissioners

Rutherford County commissioners plan to acquire Murfreesboro's Old Fairgrounds for a new jail and public safety campus, but the property owners are resisting, claiming the county's $14 million to $18 million valuation is too low and alleging insufficient notice before the vote. The owners state the land is under a $38 million contract with a private buyer, complicating the county's efforts to address jail overcrowding.

Rutherford County commissioners approved the use of eminent domain to acquire property for a proposed new jail. The decision allows proceedings to move forward for the site acquisition.

Rutherford County commissioners advanced plans for a new public safety campus to address severe overcrowding at the county jail, which houses nearly 1,100 inmates in a facility designed for 400. The county is evaluating whether to renovate the existing jail or purchase a 53-acre property on South Church Street, potentially using eminent domain if negotiations fail.