Kootenai Sheriff’s will Operate Bell 206 on $71,500/yr Budget

Kootenai county, Idaho has embarked on a different sort of fleet management after they purchased a 1994 Bell 206 with donated funds, planning to operate the unit on an all-volunteer basis with a limited budget.

The Kootenai County Regional Air Support Unit was founded as a 501(c)(3), and will operate their $500,000 helo with volunteer pilots flying search and rescue missions. While the Bell 206 was purchased sans appropriate SAR equipment, the Sheriff’s office will put up $100,000 in asset forfeiture funding to purchase a thermal camera, spotlighting, and cabling. The unit will operate on a budget of about $71,500, which will cover maintenance and insurance.

In presenting their plans to the Kootenai Commissioners, the plan was presented as first and foremost a rescue asset. Commissioner Leslie Duncain said “What I wouldn’t favor is enforcing traffic infractions on land or water. To me, that’s not the best use of this resource.”

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris affirmed that the office had no interest in using the aircraft as a speed trapper. “The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is not interested in enforcing any infractions with this tool whatsoever,” he said. He reassured Commissioners that the program may stay operational with donations, just like the department’s K-9 Unit (a much more affordable one) does.

Under current plans, no county money will fund the helicopter unit, except for $10,000 that has been traditionally allocated to neighboring Spokane County to use its fleet. In assessing the opening of their own operation back in 2021, Kootenai county blanched at the fact that Spokane paid nearly $240,000 for their 3 helicopters. If they can sustain it, the donation system seems far more affordable for the County’s pocketbook.

FMI: www.kcsheriff.com