State grant funds, totaling $7,500, will be used to partially pay for a “code red” weather warning system for Polk.

Total cost for the alarm system is $15,000, according to County Manager Clinton Lester.

Currently, sirens are used to warn citizens of approaching storms following a notice from the National Weather Service.

County Manager Clinton Lester said the original plan was to purchase additional sirens. However, a decision was made to use the grant funds for a different warning system.

He said the old ones were designed to alert people in heavy populated areas.

Roy Anderson, chief, Polk County Fire Department, said one new siren typically costs about $20,000.

“They are also expensive to maintain,” he added.

Once a contract is signed with Code Red, service will be initiated within 10 days, according to Matt Denton, assistant county manager.

It will be the responsibility of local residents to sign up for the new system once it is initiated. Two or more phone numbers can be given to receive immediate notice of weather alerts.

There is no cost for participation.