NATCHEZ — Adams County is getting into the car auction business, at least temporarily.

The Adams County Board of Supervisors approved Tuesday the hire of auction company Cuevas Auction of Picayune to sell surplus vehicles that have been replaced in the last year.

The vehicles to be auctioned include eight Ford pickup trucks that were formerly used by the county road department, six patrol cruisers from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office — five Ford Crown Victorias and one Dodge Charger — and two tractors.

County Administrator Joe Murray said the vehicles that are being sold have been replaced. The county bought nine Chevrolet Tahoes for the sheriff’s office in 2012, as well as seven new trucks for the road department.

Murray said that while two of the vehicles cannot be driven because they have blown motors, some of the vehicles can be driven off the lot.

Even if the vehicles can’t be driven, Murray said they could be good for scrap or parts.

The county decided to have the auction at the county barn on Liberty Road because it would save on fees and man hours required to transport the vehicles to other auction sites, Murray said, but also because locals should have a chance to bid on the vehicles.

“We figured the best thing was to have the auction right here,” Murray said. “They charge a pretty hefty fee to send their employees up here to get the cars.”

While auction profits are subject to the bids submitted, Murray said the county would likely set a base bid on the vehicles based on their individual condition and value.

“We do want to say that we don’t need to take $50 for a vehicle, but we are not going to set some kind of ridiculous reserve price,” he said.

In addition to hosting the auction onsite, Cuevas will open up for online bidding on its website, www.cuevasauction.com.

Murray said online bidders will have to pay a buyer’s premium that is 5 percent higher than those present at the auction.

The auction will be open to everyone and is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 27.