State selling one of two airplanes for $2M; money earmarked for Highway Patrol

JACKSON — Mississippi is selling one of its two state planes for $2 million, and Gov. Phil Bryant says he wants the money to be used for 78 new Highway Patrol vehicles.

Bryant’s office said yesterday he had approved the sale of the Cessna Citation V Ultra jet on Tuesday.

The state still has a King Air 350.

Bryant recommended selling one plane as part of his proposed state budget for the year that begins July 1.

Bryant’s office says the state acquired the Citation in 2005 for $3.6 million through a lease-purchase deal, and the plane was recently valued between $1.7 million and $1.9 million.

The state Department of Finance and Administration took bids for the plane. Clayton Leasing Inc. of Houston, Miss., purchased the plane.