Covington County residents will soon have an opportunity to view online digital property maps, said County Revenue Commissioner Janice Hart.

Hart, who sought approval for the project at Monday’s commission meeting, said Covington County is the last county in the state to implement the new technology.

“This is a two-part project,” Hart said. “After the first of the year, we will do the aerial photography. Sometime in 2011-2012, we do the mapping and will upload the images for viewing.”

Hart said the new maps will allow the office to “pick up” any new improvements to properties.

“The last time we had aerial maps done was in 1993,” she said. “It’s past time for us to get new ones. They’ll begin flying sometime in the latter part of January or early February.”

The cost of the project is $94,294; however, the county was awarded a $35,000 grant from the Department of Revenue to help defray some of the cost.

Commissioners approved funding for the project at the beginning of this fiscal year, and on Monday, gave approval to contract with The Atlantic Group LLC for the aerial photography portion of the project, pending a contract review by the county attorney.

In other business, the commission:

• closed King Road and Barlow Road in the Friendship community at the request of property owners.

• approved to advertise for a purchasing agent/parts clerk.

• tabled a request from Sheriff Dennis Meeks to purchase three vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioners agreed to act on the request after reviewing the county budget.