Finance committee approves $13.45M budget amendment to secure sheriff’s helicopter and pay down bonds

Beaufort County’s Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee voted April 20 to forward a time‑sensitive budget amendment to county council that would appropriate $13.45 million from fund balance — $1.95 million to buy a sheriff’s aircraft now and $11.57 million to call three callable bond series.

The amendment passed in committee without objection; staff said the item would go to county council as a time‑sensitive ordinance so bond counsel can meet the 30‑day notice requirement for holders. Committee members and staff emphasized the two components were related but separable: the helicopter purchase the committee endorsed now, and the bond redemptions intended to reduce future debt service and strengthen borrowing capacity.

Sheriff’s Office representatives said the aircraft on offer is a 2019 model that has been used by the U.S. Army under contract and would be sold “delivered” with new mission equipment. Colonel Baxley described the plane as meeting the office’s mission for countywide patrols, waterway and island response and search operations, and said the aircraft “has roughly 3,000 hours on it” and will come with a new infrared camera, searchlight and navigation equipment as part of the delivered price. He added the model does not have hoisting capability and that the Coast Guard continues to handle hoist rescues.

CFO Pinky Herro briefed committee members on fiscal specifics and the funding status. She told the committee there is $500,000 already budgeted in the CIP as a down payment and staff proposed appropriating $1.95 million in FY26 to secure the aircraft this year. On the bond side, bond counsel Jeremy Cook told members the three series eligible for call (series dated 2013 and 2014) could be redeemed at par, reducing principal and interest obligations and potentially increasing future bond capacity.

Supporters said paying callable bonds now would reduce interest costs and lower pressure on the debt service millage going into FY27; bond counsel said rating agencies view one‑time uses of fund balance for debt reduction positively. Several members urged separating the helicopter purchase and hangar renovations into distinct projects — the committee approved the helicopter appropriation for council consideration but recommended the hangar renovation be bid and scoped separately and possibly moved into FY27 capital planning.

The committee’s vote clears the request to go to council; any purchase or redemptions require council ordinance and final appropriation.