Subcommittee approves long‑term leases for Columbia DOC office and Hendersonville driver services center

Jennifer Murphy, Assistant Commissioner at the Tennessee Department of General Services, presented two long-term advertised leases and asked the Executive Subcommittee to approve both items.

For the Department of Correction, Murphy said the regional community supervision office in Columbia has operated in its current roughly 7,200-square-foot location since 2008 and now needs an expanded facility of about 13,400 square feet to accommodate programming and security needs. She said staffing increased from 30 to 39 positions and the proposed lease is for 15 years with three one-year renewal options; the lease also contains a purchase option with a schedule of values. Murphy told the committee rental rates were within the expected market range and that construction and inflation have driven rates higher.

Murphy then presented a second item: a long-term advertised lease for the Department of Safety and Homeland Security driver services center in Hendersonville, meant to serve as a second driver services center for Sumner County. She said the department received a single qualifying proposal on the second advertisement for a 10-year lease with a five-year renewal option. During questioning, a committee member observed market rent appeared to be about $40–$46 per square foot while Murphy said the department will pay $18 per square foot (covered by FERF); Murphy added that any additional cost would be handled with FERF operating funds contingent.

Both lease items were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally or additional conditions.