Sheriff's Office Had Pitched To Re-Start Aviation Program

The Monterey County, California  Board of Supervisors did not approve funding for a new Robinson R44 helicopter for the Sheriff's department at it's meeting Tuesday, but left the door open for funding in the future.

Sheriff Mike Kanalakis hopes that a federal Homeland Security grant will provide him with the $660,000 he says he needs for the new helicopter, but had asked the county to guarantee backup funding should that grant not come through.

The Herald of Monterey County, California reports that, in rejecting Kanalakis' request, the Board of Supervisors told the sheriff he needed to come up with a more detailed business plan showing how the helo could be purchased and maintained without any additional money from the county's general fund. While they generally said they saw the benefits of an aviation program, they indicated other cities, such as Salinas, would benefit from the program and should be asked to provide financial support as well. The board said it's Budget Committee would entertain such a revised plan. Kanalakis had said he thought the department could achieve that goal, but the county wanted more specific information.

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The Monterey County Sheriff's aviation program was shut down 9 months ago due to budget cuts. The aircraft he hopes to buy currently belongs to an area developer.

FMI: www.co.monterey.ca.us/SHERIFF