The Lincoln County Sheriff can now purchase two sport utility vehicles from a dealer in Oklahoma, after publicizing their intention for a week.

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The sheriff got the final approval Monday from the Lincoln County Commissioners.

Sheriff Jerome Kramer and Chief Deputy Dean Sparks asked the commissioners Jan. 25 to approve the purchase because to save the county as much as $6,000 per vehicle.

The board first told the sheriff to give public notice of his intentions.

Also, the commissioners opened a bid from Jerry Remus Auto Center for a patrol cruiser, but it was higher than the price of a car offered by the Nebraska State Purchasing Bureau, a source of equipment for government agencies.

Remus offered the county a 2010 Impala for $22,080, but Sparks said the state could supply a 2010 Charger for $20,090 or a Crown Vic for $21,163. The Charger and Crown Vics have rear-wheel drives, he said, which hold up better for sheriff's work than front-wheel drives.

The board took no action on the cruisers but is expected to decide next Monday.

The SUVs will come from Joe Watt Auto Sales of Vinita, Okla., which restores late-model used vehicles for law officers around the country, Sparks has said.

The commissioners stipulate the SUVs be painted white and have clear titles.

Both SUVs are 2008s and cost $18,500, Sparks said. One is Chrysler Aspen and the other a Ford Expedition.

Birdwood overpass right-of-way

Not all the land is bought yet for right-of-way for the so-called Birdwood overpass on the west end of Bailey Yard, as county officials wait for the Nebraska Department of Roads to reappraise the value of a few tracts.

On Monday, the commissioners approved the filing of six deeds for right-of-way tracts that have been purchased.

The process has been delayed while officials at the Nebraska Department of Roads re-appraises some of the tracts. County Roads Supervisor Jerry Hitchcock told the commissioners the NDOR has not told him when that job will be done. Commissioner Joe Hewgley said he hopes offers will be extended within a few days and right-of-way acquired within 45 days, but said disputes over the value of the land could be resolved in court if the sellers dispute the price offered.

The commissioners also are consideriiong appointing Hitchcock to actively represent the county during overpass construction. Hitchcock is qualified as a “Responsible Charge” for such work under guidelines of the Federal Highway Administration.