Stalls offer privacy and security in public restrooms and those are being purchased for the bathrooms at Riverfront Park, Pepper Branch Park and Ramsey Park.

Approved by McMinnville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Tuesday night was $8,040 to purchase bathroom partitions from a company called Division10 from Cordova, Tenn. It was the lowest of three bids to supply the city with the stalls. 

Installation is not included in the price. McMinnville Parks and Recreation Department director Scott McCord said city employees would be handling installation as a cost-saving measure, as they have with the majority of the work. 

“Is this the last thing that needs to be done?” asked Mayor Ben Newman. 

McCord replied, “We still need to put the toilets in. All the toilets came from the Civic Center. All the sinks came from the Civic Center. We are reusing all that to save money. We’ll have to do concrete. As of right now, I don’t see anything over $5,000 that needs to come here for approval.”

Looking for ways to save money began when the first bids were received. 

“The original bid we received was $114,000 per bathroom,” said McCord. “The bid we received last year was $120,000 for all three bathrooms. We are probably going to come in around $108,000 by the time everything is complete.” 

To date, total spent per bathroom is $31,000.