Vote Was Nearly Unanimous With One Member Dissenting

The Madera County, CA Board of Supervisors has approved the acquisition of a Cessna 172 for use by the Sheriff's Office. The airplane will come at no cost to the county, being donated by the Merced County, CA Sheriff's office which used the 172 for the past 11 years.

Sierra News Online reports that the annual operating costs for the aircraft are estimated to be about $10,000 per year. But before the plane can enter service, it will have to undergo a major engine overhaul, which will cost as much as $40,000.

The aircraft is already equipped with law enforcement-specific communications and other equipment, which will save the county about the same amount of money, according to the report.

Initially, the MCSO plans to use volunteer pilots with sworn deputies as observers while training deputies as pilots. Those deputies may earn overtime pay depending on mission requirements, but that will be paid for out of existing overtime budgets.

MCSO Commander Tyson Pogue said that the plane will be a very cost-efficient proposition for the county.

Only one supervisor, Tom Wheeler, voted against the acquisition. He said that the county was small, and does not need an airplane, which is an expensive item.

If the county determines at a later date that it does not need the 172, it can be offered to another law enforcement agency or returned to the federal government, according to Madera County Sheriff Jay Varney.

(Image provided by the Madera County Sheriff's Office)

FMI: Original report