Regions Bank deal passes final vote, 4-2

Last night McMinnville officials passed the final vote required to purchase the property at 101 East Main Street, currently the location of Regions Bank, for $675,000.

The vote passed, 4-2, with Mayor Royce Davenport casting the deciding vote. Alderman Jimmy Haley and Vice Mayor Donald Hillis voted against it, with Aldermen Patti Nunley, Rick Barnes and Billy Wood voting for it. Alderman Bobby Kirby was not in attendance.

Hillis and Haley not only voted against buying the building, they also voted against acquiring the outlay notes for the purchase, which also passed with a 4-2 vote. Their vote was backed by comments heard in the last two weeks.

‘I’m not much for negativity, but everywhere I’ve gone for the last two weeks, I’ve heard negativity,’ said Haley. ‘In fact, I’ve had nobody in favor of it.’

However, those voting for the purchase say they have heard positive reactions.

‘Apparently, it depends on which position you took because I have had one negative call,’ said Nunley. ‘All the others have been positive.’

For Davenport, the vote came down to his decision on what is best for the city.

‘This is one of those votes that everyone has heard a lot of people express their opinion on,’ said Davenport. ‘Like everybody else, I hate to make decisions when people aren’t in support of the decisions, but the reason I’m here is to do the best I can for this community. I believe this is the best choice for us.’

According to city administrator David Rutherford, there has been no decision on when city government will leave the Blue Building and begin moving into its new city hall.