McMinnville officials voted Tuesday to pay $4,000 a month to reopen the state’s Driver Testing Center until June 30, 2017.
Warren County commissioners will decide this Monday if they want to pay half that cost.
McMinnville Mayor Jimmy Haley, Vice Mayor Ben Newman and Aldermen Mike Neal, Jimmy Bonner, Ryle Chastain, Everett Brock and Steve Harvey unanimously approved an ordinance to pay $4,000 a month in rent for the building located at 594 Vervilla Road until the end of the fiscal year in order to give the state time to consider restoring funding for the facility in its 2017-18 fiscal year budget.
On first read, Neal voted against the measure and said he would change his vote if the county would be the city’s “dancing partner” in the endeavor.
The county Budget and Finance Committee met last week and unanimously approved paying half the cost. That recommendation will be under consideration by the full Warren County Commission on Monday night.
Haley was pleased with the board’s decision and is encouraging commissioners to follow suite.
“Now all eyes are on the county commissioners as they vote to partner with the city in this endeavor,” said Haley. “I implore them to vote in favor of this agreement – just as the city board did.”
Under the agreement with the state, the city is indebted for the entire rental cost until June 30. If the county agrees to pay half, that will be a financial reimbursement agreement between city officials and county commissioners.
Officials are hoping the temporary fix will lead to a permanent one. While there is no agreement with the state for it to place funding for the Driver Testing Center back in the budget, verbal assurances have been made to city officials that funding will be restored.
The full Warren County Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. Because the agenda has already been set, a motion must be made to add the item to the agenda in order for it to be considered. Amendments require a majority vote.