The Opp City Council agreed Monday night to give Mayor John Bartholomew the authority to negotiate the purchase of the recycling center from a local church.

Bartholomew told the council that church officials (First Baptist Church) had approached him about purchasing the center for $50,000.

The city currently rents the facility for $4,800 a year.

Council members agreed it would have a 10-year payoff.

“Ask them to take the recent payment off,” Councilman Bobby Ray Owens said.

“We are going to have to keep renting it, we might as well go ahead and get it,” Councilwoman Mary Brundidge said.

Councilman Arlin Davis said he felt that continuing to rent the property was throwing away money.