Commission approves purchase of convenience‑center property in Durville to secure existing site

The Warren County Commission voted unanimously, 18‑0, to purchase the parcel that contains the county’s existing convenience center in Durville, a move county staff described as financially prudent and necessary to resolve aging lease arrangements ahead of state audits.

Commissioners and staff said the site has been improved over recent years — with a new office building, a carport, compactor and steel plates — and that securing the land avoids the longer timeline and higher expense of relocating a convenience center to a new parcel (staff estimated comparable new sites could incur significant rock and paving bills). The county said the purchase will complete work to update or replace a series of long‑outdated lease agreements for county convenience centers, a step TDEC has signaled is needed for continued state funding and audit compliance.

Speakers credited the Green family (land owners) and county staff for negotiating the purchase. County staff said the parcel is ready for continued operation and that purchase will allow the county to move forward on permanent site work instead of pursuing a new, multi‑step land acquisition and construction process.

The commission then voted to approve the purchase; the meeting record shows the item passed 18‑0.