Roanoke Rapids City Council tonight approved buying nine new police cars and then four more after Ernest Bobbitt made a motion to do so.

The first motion at the work session, with Ed Liverman absent, passed unanimously. The motion for buying the next four cars passed 3-1 with Greg Lawson voting against the measure.

BB&T was the low financing bidder, giving the city a quote of 2.36 interest for five years and $53,595 for nine fully equipped patrol cars.

There was little discussion of the matter but Bobbitt said the city could buy four more cars for $77,000 at the same interest rate. “I really think we need to consider that,” he said, explaining the city has already retired debt this year and will be retiring about $245,000 in debt next year.

In another matter tonight council approved using $50,000 from reserve funds for roof repairs to the library and public works building.

The city had attempted to get grant funds for these projects, but a memo from City Manager Paul Sabiston noted federal response has been slow and it appears the requests may not get funded.

Sabiston recommended using the $50,000 from reserve funds, which would be transferred from closeouts of other capital projects.

In other matters:

Were told new streetlights would be installed in the 200 block of Roanoke Avenue in March. A $71,940 grant will fund the lights, which Dominion Power will install.

Installation of new street lights is part of the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance’s improvement plans for the city after it was included in Main Street program.

Will pay David Corlew, a Nashville record producer, $3,000 for travel from Tennessee to do an inventory of equipment in the Roanoke Rapids Theatre. Corlew will evaluate what equipment is needed and offer the remainder for sale plus a 20 percent commission.