Douglas County Commissioners approved the purchase of 10 new vehicles for the sheriff’s office at its Wednesday meeting.

The sheriff’s office will use grants to purchase two new Ford Fusions for re-entry case managers who assist ex-inmates reintegrate into the community.

The Fusions were each purchased for $17,202 from Laird Noller Ford in Lawrence.

Commissioners also approved another $186,949 to buy eight vehicles in a separate vote. The money, which comes from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office budget, would buy two 2011 Chevrolet Tahoes, three 2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors, two 2011 Ford Fusions and one 2011 Ford F-150. All vehicles would replace ones currently in use.

Sheriff Ken McGovern said the office’s ability to respond to calls in recent snow storms has been severely hindered. He said the new vehicles, especially the Chevy Tahoes, would help them to effectively respond to citizen calls during severe weather.

The two Chevy Tahoes will be purchased from Don Hattan Chevrolet in Wichita for $56,888. The other vehicles will be purchased from Shawnee Mission Ford for $130,061.

Both motions were approved unanimously with no public comment.