CROWN POINT | The Lake County sheriff said Tuesday he hopes a compromise proposed to the County Council will let him buy a new $2.5 million helicopter he believes is crucial for public safety.

The council is set to discuss the matter today.

Council President Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, signaled her opposition Tuesday to buying any helicopters, arguing the sheriff also is asking for $600,000 to fund past due bills connected with operating the county jail.

Council member Elsie Franklin, D-Gary, chided Cid.

"This pettiness needs to stop," Franklin said.

Cid and the sheriff have been feuding for the past few weeks regarding budgets and spending.

The sheriff previously wanted to buy two new helicopters at a cost of $4.2 million, but abandoned the second chopper after the council voted Tuesday morning to empty and abolish a special fund the sheriff had used since 2006 to save money for the helicopters.

The sheriff had amassed $1 million in fees he collected from the sale of some 5,000 foreclosed homes. That $1 million now goes into the county's general fund.

The sheriff said he needs a commitment by the council to buy a helicopter before Friday. Otherwise, he will lose a 20 percent discount the manufacturer, Eurocopter, has offered the county as well as a $500,000 federal grant secured by U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., he said.

Councilmen Thomas O'Donnell, D-Dyer, and Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, said they were reluctant to make a commitment Tuesday until they know more details.

"I don't know if I would buy a bike for my kid this fast," O'Donnell said.

The council is in the midst of an austerity move that may result in job reductions as it attempts to cut $15 million from the county budget because of state-mandated property tax cuts.

The sheriff said he is requesting $600,000, not because he overspent his jail medical budget but because the council earlier borrowed that amount to pay jail medical bills dating to years before he took office.