A Topeka city councilman wants to use asset forfeiture funds to retain a police helicopter unit that had been eliminated from the city's 2010 budget, WIBW.com reports.
When the council eliminated the airborne unit during a round of budget cuts in August, local law enforcement agencies expressed concern about shifting the burden of airborne response to the Kansas Highway Patrol, which has the only other law enforcement helicopter.
Councilman Larry Wolgast's proposal would use up to $150,000 from the asset forfeiture and drug tax stamp violation fund the unit. The council will vote on the proposal Dec. 15.
