Farragut board approves TSW contract to update town comprehensive plan after debate over timing

The Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 2–1 on May 7 to approve a professional-services agreement with the consulting firm TSW to prepare a complete update of the town's comprehensive land-use plan.

Staff described the work as a full rewrite of the 2012 plan to reflect population growth, shifting transportation patterns and remaining vacant parcels in town. Town staff said the RFQ produced four proposals, TSW was selected after a rating process that evaluated technical qualifications, transportation expertise and public-engagement approaches, and the project timeline is roughly one year for a final product.

The update matters because the comprehensive plan guides zoning decisions, capital investments and redevelopment priorities; resident Joey Ruffalo told the board the plan will shape the town for years and urged transparency and broad community input: "This update will determine what Farragut looks like not just next year, but 10, 15, 20 years from now. Approach it with transparency and intentionality," Ruffalo said.

During discussion some members raised concerns. One alderman asked whether the board should wait until after the upcoming municipal election before committing to a vendor; another said they would have preferred a different consulting firm to diversify perspectives. Staff responded that data collection and stakeholder outreach would begin immediately if the contract were executed and that completing full design now allows the town to bid construction with optional add-alternates later.

The board approved the agreement by a 2–1 vote (the transcript records the tally but does not name individual yea/nay votes). Staff told the board the project would include a steering committee, stakeholder meetings and coordination with regional planning efforts. The transcript records that staff said the consultant's fee came in below the board's $150,000 budget, but the precise contract amount was not clearly stated in the meeting transcript.

Next steps: staff will finalize the contract and begin data collection and public-engagement planning; the board will be asked later to appoint any steering committee or advisory group requested by the consultant.