A self-service driver license kiosk will be in the office of Warren County Clerk Lesa Scott before the end of this month.
County Building and Grounds Committee members Carl E. Bouldin, Carolyn Miller, David Rhea, Kenny Roberts, and Michael Shane Wilcher have unanimously approved a contract with the state that will allow the kiosk. While the county will provide the electricity, the state will provide everything else – Internet connection, paper, maintenance, etc.
Leading to the decision was a fear the city of McMinnville and the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security might not reach an agreement on the Driver Testing Center and have everything ready before the deadline of May 31.
“Come May 31, they told me they are gone,” said County Executive Herschel Wells of his correspondence with the state.
Bouldin says he heard the same thing.
“The state said they were afraid the city might not be done with the basement at City Hall where people could get their license and they wanted to put a kiosk in Lesa’s office,” Bouldin said. “Hopefully, the city will get it done.”
City board member Alderman Everett Brock was in attendance and informed committee members the issue is under consideration, both the funding to improve the basement and lease agreement with the state.
Brock encouraged committee members to allow the kiosk because, if the city does reach an agreement with the state, a kiosk would ease some of the anticipated traffic congestion with some people opting to use the kiosk rather than wait in line at City Hall.
“I’ll speak for myself here, and I think some people on the board will agree with me, I don’t have a problem with the county having a kiosk out here, even if we go through with this. A kiosk here gives people two points to go to. There are a lot of things you can do with a kiosk, assuming everything works OK. There are a lot of things people can do there rather than go down to City Hall, take a number and maybe sit for an hour or however long it takes. With the kiosk, there are things that can be done a lot quicker.”
The agreement between the county and state for the kiosk is for one year. At that time, it can be renewed. However, there is a termination clause that allows either party to terminate the contract with a 90-day notice.
Staff at Scott’s office will not be trained in use of the kiosk and will not assist people in using it. Described by the state as very efficient and user friendly, the kiosk directs users from start to finish. 
Bouldin said Scott expressed concerns about kiosk users asking her staff for assistance.
“I told her if it becomes a problem, we will have the kiosk removed,” said Bouldin. “We’ll give a 90-day notice and it will be gone.”
Because the contract requires no financial expenditure by the county, it does not have to be approved by the full Warren County Commission. Committee approval only is needed.