Sanford announces aircraft consolidation

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The governor also asked the leaders of the state's three research universities to combine their five aircraft, a move he said could save an additional $600,000 annually.

Clemson University operates two, six-seat prop planes, and the two turbo-prop planes used by University of South Carolina officials are owned by the USC Development Foundation and the USC Athletic Department, not the school.

Cathy Sams, a Clemson spokeswoman, said the school is open to looking at consolidating planes but past studies have found it unfeasible.

She said the planes are used "very frequently." Even with their use, officials still need charter flights, she said.

"It's questionable how much, if any money (consolidation) might save," she said. "But probably the bigger concern would be making sure we still had the flexibility and access we have with the two planes. It's hard to put a dollar figure on the lost productivity or lost opportunities you might have if you're spending more time on the road."

Each of the planes cost about $375,000 annually to operate, she said.

Russ McKinney, a spokesman for the University of South Carolina, said the foundation plane schedules twice weekly trips to Washington for researchers and officials doing grant and research work. It also flies USC's president and other officials to conferences, meetings and other university business.

"We certainly share the governor's interest in cutting costs," he said. "Whether it would be practical for us is something we would have to take a look at."

The state spends about $32 million each year on travel. That amount does not include the universities.

Selling the law enforcement planes will leave the state with six aircraft for the State Law Enforcement Division and the Department of Natural Resources, as well as a plane used by the state Commerce Department, the governor's office and other officials.

"This won't solve the $350 million budget issue that we have by itself but it's a good step forward," Sanford said.

Sanford said he had not reviewed flight logs of the plane used by his office and many other state officials to determine if that plane was being used effectively. But he said he uses the plane much less than past administrations.

"We've fallen off a cliff, relatively speaking," he said.

State Sen. John Matthews, an Orangeburg County Democrat who sits on the Senate Finance Committee, said he wants to know more about the consolidation.

"If it promotes efficiency and effectiveness for those institutions or those people involved, I would support it," he said. "But at this point I'm not too sure."

Matthews said if SLED is satisfied with the consolidation, he would agree with it.

The governor said the 2000 Hawker 800 XP, of which the state owned a one-eighth share, was used for 43 flight hours last year. Officials said the plane was owned by a private air management company which sold shares much as condominium owners sell time shares for vacations. Sanford said he didn't see the use for such a jet, which was equipped to fly across the Atlantic.

Selling the state's share in the Hawker, officials estimate, will bring the state $870,000 and save approximately $96,000 annually.

Also being sold will be a 1967 Hughes OH-6A helicopter, operated by SLED, and a 1980 Cessna 180 plane, owned by DNR. Officials hope those sales will generate $250,000.

The two agencies also agreed to swap two aircraft and to swap some aerial job responsibilities. SLED will take over all search and rescue missions, a function previously headed by DNR, and the wildlife agency will take over surveillance duties, previously done by SLED.

SLED will now operate four helicopters and DNR will operate two to three planes. The two agencies employ a total of 11 pilots, none of which will lose their jobs under the consolidation.

"The big winners here today are the taxpayers and the law enforcement community," SLED Chief Robert Stewart said. "By eliminating duplication of effort and pooling resources, the state can dispose of these aircraft and yet maintain and even improve the level of service that is needed by the police and citizens of the state."

Earlier this week, Sanford asked officials in his cabinet agencies to beginning rooming together when traveling on state business. He said he will also seek legislative approval to adopt lower federal spending limits on room rates.