McMinnville officials are considering a measure that would rid the city of $42,000 a year in rent payments. 

A joint meeting of the city Safety Committee and Building and Grounds Committee is scheduled for this Tuesday, July 28, at 6:10 p.m. to discuss moving McMinnville Police Department to City Hall. The discussion comes after the relocation of Regions Bank from the building’s first floor, making space available. 

Police Chief Bryan Denton supports the move.

“I think it makes sense for several reasons. Economically with the city owning the property, it will consolidate more city departments. It will bring commerce downtown and much as anything, I think citizens in a town our size prefer the police based in the downtown area. It’s still early but at this point, I like the idea,” said Denton. 

The Police Department is located at Red Road Business Park and has been there since November 2009. Rent is currently $3,500 a month, which totals $42,000 a year.

In 2019, the city approved a two-year extension on its three-year lease that was signed in 2016. It will expire in August 2021. However, per the agreement, either party may terminate the lease agreement with a 180-day written notice.

According to city administrator Nolan Ming, consideration is being given to the Police Department being housed on the third floor and if that decision is given a green light by city officials, the move could take place in early October.