$2.36 million copter purchase considered

County officials are asking commissioners to approve a $2.36 million purchase for a firefighting helicopter with more water-carrying capacity than the three choppers the county already owns. The price is about $100,000 less than the $2.46 million approved for the purchase in this year’s budget.

The aircraft will be operated by Star Flight and, with the ability to hold more than twice as much water as the other helicopters, will be used primarily for firefighting. Star Flight’s three other helicopters conduct different types of missions, including medical transport, search and rescue, firefighting and assisting