Buc-ee's, QuikTrip Area: Butler Drive Sewer District Goes to Council

Murfreesboro is creating a Butler Drive sewer assessment district north of Joe B Jackson Parkway, where city staff says Buc-ee's and QuikTrip construction made it time to extend service. Ordinance 26-O-40 sets a $4,100-per-acre fee to recover $470,158.

The City of Murfreesboro is setting up a sewer assessment district along Butler Drive, north of Joe B Jackson Parkway at Interstate 24, and city staff ties the timing directly to construction of Buc-ee's and QuikTrip at that interchange. Ordinance 26-O-40, which creates the Butler Drive Sanitary Sewer Assessment District with a fee of $4,100 per acre, was on the Oct. 15, 2026 City Council agenda for a public hearing and first reading.

As of Oct. 18, the city had not posted minutes from the Oct. 15 meeting, and no later council agenda was posted. The ordinance still needs a second and final reading, and it takes effect 15 days after passage on that reading.

Why is Murfreesboro extending sewer on Butler Drive?

The Water Resources Department's memo to council says staff had been asked "for many years" about sewer service along Butler Drive north of Joe B Jackson Parkway, but no development plans were large enough to justify extending sewer there.

That changed with two projects at the Joe B Jackson interchange with I-24. The memo cites "the construction of Buc ees southwest and QuikTrip on the northwest side" of the interchange. Staff concluded that those two developments, along with the realignment of Butler Drive, "would spark additional development" and that it was time to make sure the city could serve the area.

The memo lists improved economic development among the council priorities served, noting that sewer service plus a new alignment for Butler Drive will encourage development.

What was built and what it cost

According to the council memo:

• Force main: A contractor built a sewer force main parallel to Butler Drive, within its right of way, for $285,000. It was left unconnected to the sewer system at first.
• Connecting section: A short sewer extension running south from Butler Drive was designed in-house and built by the department's Operations and Maintenance crew for $76,000.
• Easement: The one easement the work required was donated to the city. The rest of the project sits in city right of way.

The $361,000 spent came from Working Capital Reserves and the FY27 Operations and Maintenance budget.

How the $4,100-per-acre fee was calculated

Staff spread the construction cost plus financing over the land the line can serve:

• 15-year financing term at 3.5% interest
• 115 acres in the assessment area, outside the floodway
• $470,158 in construction and finance costs
• $4,100 per acre, rounded

The Water Resources Board recommended approval at its Sept. 22, 2026 meeting, and staff recommends council adopt the ordinance at $4,100 per acre.

What property owners in the district would pay

Under the ordinance, which adds Section 33-216 to the Murfreesboro City Code:

• Properties shown on the district map, and any future development that discharges into the Butler Drive sewer, pay $4,100 per acre before connecting, until the actual costs, including funding costs, are paid in full.
• The charge is on top of the regular sewer connection and tapping fee, the outside house service charge and other applicable sewer fees. All land within a lot's property lines counts toward the acreage.
• The city may add charges for building sewer laterals to reach the trunk line.
• A customer whose sewage does not actually flow into the Butler Drive system can be excluded by the Water Resources director or a designee.
• Owners of property that can reach the district's sewer do not pay monthly sewer service charges until they physically connect.

When will Buc-ee's Murfreesboro open?

The city's documents describe Buc-ee's as under construction but give no opening date, and Buc-ee's has not published one. As of Oct. 18, 2026, the Buc-ee's locations page lists two Tennessee stores, Crossville and Sevierville, and does not list Murfreesboro.

OnlyInMurfreesboro's earlier story covers Buc-ee's Murfreesboro hiring and what the company has said about its fall 2026 opening. The new restaurants in Murfreesboro guide tracks other openings. Drivers using I-24 can check the latest I-24 ramp closures around Murfreesboro, and residents new to the area can start with the moving to Murfreesboro guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Butler Drive Sanitary Sewer Assessment District?

It is a special assessment district Murfreesboro is creating through Ordinance 26-O-40 so the city can recover the cost of extending sewer service along Butler Drive north of Joe B Jackson Parkway. Properties that connect pay $4,100 per acre.

How big is the Butler Drive sewer district?

The fee calculation uses 115 acres outside the floodway. The exact boundaries are on Map No. 33-216, on file with the City Recorder and the Water Resources director.

Where are Buc-ee's and QuikTrip being built in Murfreesboro?

The city's Water Resources memo places Buc-ee's on the southwest side and QuikTrip on the northwest side of the Joe B Jackson Parkway interchange with I-24.

Has the Butler Drive sewer ordinance passed?

It was on the Oct. 15, 2026 council agenda for a public hearing and first reading. As of Oct. 18, minutes from that meeting had not been posted. The ordinance still needs a second and final reading and takes effect 15 days after it passes.

Does Buc-ee's list a Murfreesboro opening date?

No. As of Oct. 18, 2026, the Buc-ee's locations page lists Crossville and Sevierville in Tennessee and does not list Murfreesboro.

Sources: City of Murfreesboro: City Council agenda packet, Oct. 15, 2026 (Butler Drive Sewer Assessment District, Ordinance 26-O-40), City of Murfreesboro: Agenda Center, Buc-ee's: Locations.

*Illustration: AI-generated image; not an actual Murfreesboro location.*