The move could net Costa Mesa up to $4 million over the next few years after it absorbs the program's general and equipment replacement funds, and sells off its equipment.
ABLE's maintenance fund is flush with more than $3.1 million meant to buy a new helicopter and cover other costs. The city would have to continue paying $13,300 monthly for a hangar lease at John Wayne Airport expiring in April 2012 and any other financial obligations.
Police consider the Eagle One police helicopter a "force multiplier" that assists officers on the ground in pursuits, coordinates searches and can spot hiding suspects before police are in danger. The officers in the program could be folded back into regular department operations and displace less-senior officers.
Removing Vacancies
The council is expected to clear two vacant police officer positions off the books. Council members indicated at a study session Tuesday that the move was not unexpected by department leaders, who have held the two vacancies open for some time.
The reduction would save the city more than $211,000. Police Department employees have been laid off or reduced to part time over the last two years, and sworn officers are handling duties to which they weren't traditionally assigned.
Council members instructed city staff to begin discussion with other city employee groups about where they can take some vacancies off the city budget as well.
"The general sense is that we have an impending crisis and we need to take action. We need to move forward," Mensinger said.
More than 100 city employees have been laid off since the recession and more may be on the way, officials said.
