(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission has approved the purchase of two new patrol vehicles for the Sheriff’s Department.

The Commission Monday approved the purchase two 2018 Dodge Chargers from Nemaha Valley Motors, in Seneca, for a total cost of $42,000 with the trade-in of two 2014 Dodge Chargers.

Bids were also received from Honeyman Ford, of Seneca and Aberle Ford, of Sabetha.

Sheriff Rich Vernon informed Commissioners he has hired Baxter Defore, of Hiawatha, as a full-time corrections officer.  Defore began work Monday at a salary of $13.18 an hour.  He replaces Paul Streeter who took a job with the Sabetha Police Department.  

In other business, County Senior Services and Public Transit Director Diane Yunghans informed the Commission that in order to move forward on a grant application to fund the construction of a new Nutrition Center and transit office in Seneca a public hearing must be held.

Yunghans said the public hearing has been set for Monday, February 5th at 10:30 in the morning at the current Seneca Nutrition Center at 504 Edwards Road.

If awarded, the grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation would pay for 80 percent of half of the cost of the building, which has been estimated at nearly $700,000.  The total project cost, including furnishings and land for the building, has been estimated at just over $913,000.

Yunghans says the final grant application is due February 16th.