CROWN POINT | The Lake County Council will hold a special meeting Wednesday to override vetoes that could stymie the purchase of the sheriff's new $2.2 million helicopter and $11.8 million in building repairs.

The Lake County Board of Commissioners vetoed two council resolutions Wednesday required to trigger multimillion-dollar spending projects.

The sheriff is buying a new aircraft with a combination of federal funds, the sale of his current fleet of 38-year-old helicopters and a $580,000 appropriation from gaming revenues the county's four floating casinos contribute to county government.

Along with their uses in Lake County, the Sheriff's Department helicopters are also used when requested by Porter and LaPorte counties for various police needs.

Commissioner Gerry Scheub, D-Schererville, said the county should stop the new helicopter purchase because Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez had promised not to spend any local money.

Dominguez said Wednesday he made no such promise.

Commissioners also vetoed a resolution allowing the council members to spend $11.8 million to renovate aging county buildings and infrastructure.

Commissioners usually control how county buildings are used and have generally opposed the council playing any role in building maintenance.