DOVER-FOXCROFT – In a change from the past, Sheriff John Goggin received approval Tuesday to purchase two sport utility vehicles for police use.

Goggin told Piscataquis County commissioners Tuesday that bids for the sport utility vehicles were comparable to the cost of a Chevrolet Impala, the vehicle traditionally used by the county.

Bids received by Goggin were $23,170 on a Ford Explorer and $23,477 on the Chevrolet Blazer. In comparison, a new Impala police cruiser would cost $22,990.

“We’re trying to do something a little different with our fleet of vehicles,” Goggin told the commissioners. He believed service to the county could be improved with the use of four-wheel-drive vehicles. “We’re looking for more versatility with these vehicles,” he said.

The new cruisers will be used by the sheriff and Lt. Robert Young. Goggin said his present 1994 cruiser will be used as a spare, and the other vehicle will be sold. He has $40,000 budgeted for the two vehicles and plans to use about $3,000 from counter-drug funds to make the purchase. Counter-drug funds include money and goods confiscated in successful drug prosecutions.

The commissioners left it up to Goggin to decide between the two models. “It’s difficult to make a decision between the Ford and the Chevrolet because they’re comparable to one another,” Goggin said. He added, however, that in all likelihood, he would purchase Blazers because they are equipped to pull trailers and they have a larger alternator.

An Aetna insurance consultant advised the commissioners that the county could save about $30,000 in yearly insurance premiums if it eliminated a flexible plan that allowed employees to use doctors not identified on Aetna’s provider list.

For now, the commissioners will leave the flexible plan intact and agreed Tuesday to continue their association with Aetna. Their intent is to present the matter to employees at a later date.

The commissioners on Tuesday also signed the tax assessment that divides the $2.2 million cost of county government among 19 towns and unorganized townships. Dover-Foxcroft, the largest taxpayer, will contribute $275,714, and Kingsbury Plantation, the smallest taxpayer, will pay $11,165. The unorganized territories will be assessed $777,673 as their share of county government costs.

A 2003 fire protection contract with Brownville for the unorganized territories of Katahdin Iron Works, Williamsburg and Ebeemee was approved. The contract provides an annual fee of $5,000 and a fee schedule for equipment and firefighters.

The commissioners also approved a fire protection contract with Monson for the unorganized territories of Elliottsville and Blanchard at a cost of $6,000 plus a per-hour fee schedule for firefighters.