Money for Sheriff's helicopter restored

Sonoma County's Board of Supervisors indicated Monday afternoon they
will restore nearly $6 million to the 2011-12 budget, including money for the
sheriff's office's Henry-1 helicopter.

The five-member board took several straw votes to restore funding during Monday's first day of budget hearings. The hearings will continue today and official votes on any funding restorations are expected Wednesday.

The board reviewed the budgets of the Health and Human Services departments, and justice services that include the district attorney's, public defender's and sheriff's offices and the probation department.

The county is trying to cut $42.8 million from the general fund budget, reducing it to $379.3 million. The total 2011-12 county budget is $1.2 billion.

  The justice services' budgets were targeted for $21.7 million in cuts and Health and Human services for $7 million in reductions.

Justice services comprise 51 percent of the general fund budget.

Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas, whose office faces a $12.4 million cut and loss of 56 positions, said it would cost $350,000 just to mothball Henry-1, maintain it for possible sale and to lease the hanger at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport through the end of the year.

The helicopter's budget has already been cut by $900,000, Freitas said. Restoring $900,000 and increasing total funding to $1.2 million with the use of one-time funds would reduce its 24/7 service to a 40-hour week.

The helicopter would also be on call after hours but off duty two days a week, Freitas said.

The helicopter performs searches, rescues, law enforcement duties and has fire-fighting capabilities.

Board members said the sheriff's office should consider recouping some of its helicopter expenses by requesting donations for searches and rescues and by charging out-of-county residents who are rescued in Sonoma County.

Among the sheriff's office's programs that might be spared cuts are funding for Henry-1, for retaining three employees in a domestic violence and sexual assault unit and a violent crimes and property crimes unit, and for partial funding of a gang crimes unit.

Those restorations total $1.9 million.

By Bay City News Service