Cowley County commissioners on Tuesday approved a contract with the Kansas Department of Revenue that would bring a drivers’ license office to Winfield.
The contract would need to be approved by the state, which approached the county about wanting to find a new facility for the DMV office, according to county administrator Lucas Goff. They do not want to own a facility but to lease it, he said.
The county has space in the Albertson Annex, across from the courthouse on Ninth Street, which was formerly used by Juvenile Corrections and needs a new tenant. At the June 19 county meeting, commissioners gave Goff permission to begin negotiations with the Department of Revenue for leasing the west suite in the Albertson Annex.
Goff worked with Kevin Fulton of the Department of Revenue to develop a lease agreement that would go into effect on Dec. 1 if it is approved by the state.
Goff said improvements needed in the space, including HVAC and bathrooms, would cost the county about $100,000.
Rent would be $6,063.75 per quarter for 10 years. The area contains 2,310 square feet for office use at $10.50 per square foot per year. With those figures, Goff said the county could begin to see a return on its investment in seven years.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)