The Polk County Board of Commissioners has approved the purchase of seven new Dodge Chargers – four for the police department and three for the sheriff.

Carl Gregory Dodge submitted a low bid of $23,136 each. Once an order is submitted, the vehicles are scheduled for delivery within 60 days.

Police Chief Kenny Dodd said he is happy about the new cars his department will receive.

“We have several with more than 180,000 miles,” he said. “We try to keep each about six years and get as much use as possible from the fleet. A new car means a lot to our people and is more safe for our officers to drive.”

The county board also approved a $22,277 low bid from Law Enforcement Supply for equipment and installation in the public safety vehicles.

The board gave the green light to separate bids for the purchase of radar equipment for the four new police cars. The low bid of $6,700 was awarded to McLaggan Communication & Radar Service.

After implementation of the new countywide digitalized radio system in January, Polk’s public safety agencies realized they could no longer communicate with key outside agencies.

A solution to the problem was to purchase four additional portable radios, two for the Department of Natural Resources and two for Georgia forestry staff in Polk. The $1,870 purchase will be paid out of county Special Local Option Sales Tax funds.

Commissioners also approved a $4,550 low bid from Randy McGee and Billy Bishop for metal steps at the firing range control building. Cartersville Fence submitted the $15,160 low bid for security fencing at the county owned facility.

The group voted in favor of a change order for culvert replacement. Ed Smith Construction, contractor, was asked to price a replacement of an additional culvert on Pleasant Hill Road in Southeast Polk County at a cost of $188,517.

County Manager Matt Denton presented each board member with a tentative paving schedule for 2013. The list of roads includes Lime Branch, Youngs Valley, Pleasant Hill, and Seney Pond.

Paving is also scheduled in Cedartown – Burkhalter Road, Robert L. Parks Boulevard, West Gibson Street and School Lane.

In Rockmart, the list includes Hunter Street, Oakcrest Drive and Prospect Road.