JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
One of Mississippi's high flying pieces of transportation is no longer in the air, at least not with the state's affiliation. That's because the state jet no longer belongs to the state.
"I just think it was a business decision on my part," said Governor Phil Bryant.
Bryant outlined the sale of the Cessna Citation V Ultra Jet in his 2013 Executive Budget Recommendation saying the state did not need two planes, so the jet went up for bids in February.
The sale leaves Mississippi's King Air 350 as the sole aircraft. Bryant says the jet was a non-essential expense he hopes to turn into funding for priorities.
"I think it was a vehicle, an aircraft, that we could do without. So, it was a good time to sell it before the market got worse on an older aging aircraft," said Bryant.
It was sold off to Clayton Leasing, a company out of Houston, Mississippi. The price tag was $2 million. Bryant is asking the legislature to send the money to the highway patrol, to buy 78 new fully equipped trooper vehicles.
"They've got over 100 automobiles that have 100,000 miles on them and I can tell you as a former law enforcement officer, your lives are endanger when your driving an automobile with 100,000 miles on it," said Bryant. "These are vehicles that have to travel at a high rate of speed."
The state bought the jet back in 2005 for $3.6 million. Current retail value according to the Aircraft Value Reference Book is about $1.9 million. The Department of Finance and Administration estimates about $566,000 in recurring expenses associated with the jet.
"Now was a good time to sell that aircraft, particularly when we're looking at being able to fund the highway patrol at a level of necessity," said Bryant.
Bryant says the remaining plane will be used for travel within the state, but only if required. If out of state or international travel is needed, Bryant says the cheaper route would be going commercially.
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