Public Works Committee - August 4, 2026

The Public Works and Planning Committee of Rutherford County met on August 4, 2026, to discuss various departmental reports and planning initiatives. Key procurement-related discussions included a budget amendment to adjust the pay grade of the engineering project coordinator, Jeff Jacobo, recognizing his oversight of multiple infrastructure projects. The committee also reviewed and approved a $250,000 contract with Neil Schaefer to update the county's long-range transportation plan, leveraging existing budget funds allocated for road infrastructure improvements. This update aims to prioritize road projects and develop typical roadway cross-sections for subdivision regulations. The committee debated the decision not to issue a competitive bid for this contract, ultimately approving it based on the firm's qualifications and existing relationship with the county. Additionally, the committee was briefed on preliminary efforts to develop zoning regulations for data centers, noting no current applications in unincorporated areas and discussing the potential for a moratorium while regulations are developed. No other contract awards or RFPs were reported during the meeting.