As a Deerfield Beach city commissioner, I have a complete and uncompromised commitment to providing for the safety and security of all our residents. And as a financial steward of the city, I also have a responsibility to ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are budgeted carefully and spent wisely.
On Jan. 21, these issues both came before City Commission: Whether to continue a contract with BSO without clear stipulations on costs or any authority or oversight of cost escalations, or to take control and manage those costs by establishing our own police and fire-rescue departments dedicated exclusively to the public safety of Deerfield Beach residents.
Michael Hudak is a Deerfield Beach City Commissioner.
There has never been any issue with the level of public safety services BSO has provided Deerfield Beach. But the financial uncertainty associated with the BSO contract could not be ignored.
One of our commissioners asked Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony on three separate occasions whether BSO would honor an agreed-upon two-year contract. Each time, the sheriff was unable to make that commitment.
It was not an unreasonable request.
BSO would know its staffing and asset requirements for a defined period (two years), and Deerfield Beach would know its financial obligation for that same period. But entering into an agreement where one party cannot guarantee it will honor its commitment defeats the very purpose of a contract.
Fortunately, there is a very viable alternative.
Establishing our own public safety departments allows Deerfield Beach to attract, retain and train personnel who reflect our community’s values and priorities while maintaining control over our long-term financial future.
Historically, Deerfield Beach has relied on BSO’s labor studies to determine salaries and benefits for the professionals who protect our community. Bringing public safety in-house allows the city to conduct its own labor studies, gain greater control over its public safety budget, and independently determine compensation and benefits tailored to our city’s unique priorities.
BSO has been a valued partner to Deerfield Beach for the past 35 years, and that partnership will continue. BSO’s Special Operations units — countywide assets funded by all county taxpayers — include hazardous materials response, technical rescue, SWAT medics and aviation units. These resources support all 31 Broward County municipalities and would remain an essential component to support Deerfield Beach’s residents.
BSO’s model works well for providing regional assets, protecting county facilities and servicing small- to medium-sized cities that lack the leadership, financial capacity or infrastructure to operate their own public safety departments. Deerfield Beach no longer fits that model.
We are the 10th largest city in Broward County and the 35th largest city in the state of Florida. We have the financial capability, we have the infrastructure, and most importantly, we have the leadership.
If the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar, Coral Springs, Davie, Plantation, Lauderhill, Tamarac, Margate and Coconut Creek can successfully hire, retain, train and control public safety costs, so can Deerfield Beach.
On Jan. 21, the Deerfield Beach City Commission made the right decision for all the right reasons. And the residents of Deerfield Beach will benefit from it for decades to come.
Michael Hudak is a Deerfield Beach city commissioner.