The Murfreesboro Water Resources Board voted to keep the previously approved easement offer ceiling of $689,000 for the Thompson Lane widening project to provide staff additional flexibility while final legal descriptions and exhibits are completed.

Staff explained some easement valuations had been calculated previously using tax assessor values and that engineering initially provided only partial legal descriptions. After receiving full permanent and temporary easement descriptions and exhibits, staff recalculated offers using the assessor’s values, applying 20% of land value for temporary construction easements (staff said they typically use 10% but chose 20% because the project is two years) and 50% of land value for permanent easements. Combining those figures yielded an offer total of $662,250, but staff recommended keeping the earlier approved $689,000 figure to give legal more room to obtain easements without immediate resort to condemnation.

A staff member also noted the project added 10% for voluntary conveyance. The board received a motion and second and voted to approve keeping the $689,000 amount.

Why it matters: the larger ceiling lets staff pursue voluntary easements and reduces the likelihood of immediate condemnation, which can speed right‑of‑way acquisition for the widening project.

Staff said the temporary easement percentage was increased because the work will last approximately two years; no change to the overall contract amount or project schedule was reported at the meeting.