JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Aldermen began the new year Monday by approving several major expenditures, including the repair of a damaged electrical transformer, the purchase of two new cars for the police and fire departments, and purchase of a new telephone system for city hall offices.

The board also gave the contractor who was the low bidder on a water line project 10 days to present an acceptable bid bond.

The board authorized the repair of a city-owned, 34.5-kilovolt transformer that was damaged last fall. The low bid for the work, $72,000, was submitted by Southwest Electric of Oklahoma City, Okla. City Administrator Carl Talley said it will take about six months to complete the repairs.

The board authorized the purchase of two Ford Crown Victoria cars, each equipped with the police package, at a cost of $12,500 each.

Talley said one of the cars will go to the fire department, and the other to the police department. Both will replace worn-out vehicles. The purchases are line items in each department's 1992 budget.

The aldermen approved the purchase of a new AT&T telephone system for city hall offices, at a cost of $6,334.

At the recommendation of the city staff and City Attorney David Beeson, the board gave Mark Skinner Inc. 10 days to post an acceptable bid bond for a water line project on Old Toll Road.

Beeson said a closer examination of Skinner's bond papers revealed the out-of-state broker for the bid bond submitted an unaudited financial statement. Beeson warned by accepting this particular bond, the board would be establishing dangerous precedent.

He noted the amount of the bond is not significant, $600. The estimated cost of the project is $12,500.

The board approved an ordinance to finalize the friendly annexation of property of Benjamin and Debra Goodier on East Jackson Boulevard. The property is being converted into a dental clinic.

After the meeting, Talley reported that 93 percent of the city's taxpayers made their payments prior to the Dec. 31 deadline. The total amount collected so far in real estate and personal property taxes is $525,887. Talley said the 93 percent figure is about average for Jackson.

The board also approved an ordinance designating Capital Bank, Jackson Exchange Bank, and Boatmen's National Bank as depositories for city funds.