County agrees to buy Minden DMV building

Purchase of the Department of Motor Vehicles building in Minden for $810,000 was approved by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners Thursday by a 3-1 vote.

Commissioner David Brady said he wasn't comfortable with the purchase when there were more pressing needs for space and cast the one dissenting vote. The building could be used for elections, but not until 2010.

"We have $6.2 million for capital improvement projects and the first thing we do is spend $810,000 on a building we can't use for two years," he said. "I'm not comfortable purchasing this building now, when there are other critical needs like the jail. I prefer a wait-and-see approach."

The money will come from a $6.2 million budget, two bonds previously dedicated for parking facilities. Other improvements, including for a $3.5 million for a juvenile facility, $700,000 Minden jail expansion and $500,000 remodel of the Stateline jail are also on the list.

County Manager Dan Holler said purchasing the building now could mean moving the jail's weight room and clearing space for alternative sentencing.

"I'm not in favor of paying $810,000 for a weight room or storage, but 10 years ago we identified this building as a need. We couldn't afford it then and now it's going to cost us another $400,000," said Commissioner Kelly Kite.

"I think we need the space and we can get out of other leases by purchasing it now," Kite said. "I'm in favor of doing this and putting it behind us."

Located just off Highway 88 on County Road, the 4,500-square-foot building is zoned office commercial. The 24,500-square-foot lot and basic rectangular shape of the building allow for future expansion. The DMV's 10-year lease ended in July, but a one-year extension was granted, assuring income for several more months. In addition to the uses previously mentioned, East Fork Fire could use the building for administrative purposes until their new station is built near Buckeye Road.

The building, which abuts the Douglas County Public Library on County Road in Minden, could also provide the space needed in phase three of the library's expansion plans, according to county officials.

• Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.