Sheriff says county helicopter operations produced surplus revenue; proposes financing for last radio tower, board asks for legal review

Sheriff Matt Carr briefed the Board April 21 on a year‑long snapshot of county helicopter operations and a separate, larger proposal to finish the county’s digital radio build‑out. Carr said the county’s helicopter, received in October 2023, flew 67 missions through October 2024; those missions produced about $413,600 in reimbursements (including a large federal reimbursement tied to a multi‑agency search) against roughly $450,224 in operational costs, leaving a modest net county cost for the first year. Carr described the helicopter as busy and increasingly in demand by Grand Teton National Park, the Forest Service and federal partners.

Carr also summarized county radio‑system work: the county has transitioned many systems to the statewide WyoLink digital backbone, built several 800‑level coverage sites, and now needs a final VHF tower in the south county (Prichard Pass) to complete the network and improve canyon and Snake River corridor coverage. Motorola submitted a proposal to finance the last build — a $2.8 million project — over five years that, according to the sheriff, would keep the annual radio budget flat during financing and then reduce the annual radio budget by roughly $635,000 once the financing is paid off. Carr described the 5‑year Motorola proposal as time‑sensitive because equipment and steel costs are rising.

Commissioners expressed interest but also caution. Several commissioners said they supported finishing the radio network for public safety and communications resilience; others noted sharp budget pressures and asked for analysis of how the financing would affect county borrowing capacity and competing capital priorities (including courthouse and other projects). Commissioner Gardner asked whether the town’s contribution and other revenue offsets were accounted for; staff said revenue entries are still being finalized. The board directed county staff to request a legal review of the proposed Motorola financing contract and to consider a short workshop or follow‑up meeting (Clerk/Administrator and county attorney) to review financing options and timing. County attorney staff agreed to review the contract and report back.

No formal financing contract was signed at the meeting. Carr said receipts from helicopter missions and intergovernmental search‑and‑rescue reimbursements are a meaningful revenue source for aviation operations; the Motorola financing decision will be scheduled for a future board workshop after legal and fiscal analysis.