It wouldn’t come easy and it wouldn’t come cheap.
Pompano Beach residents got their first glimpse at a government and budget without the Broward Sheriff’s Office this week, and it’s a world that balances higher property taxes with increased local control over law enforcement.
The city hired consultants to weigh the costs and benefits of severing the city’s 27-year partnership with BSO to return to an independent Pompano Beach Police Department. The consultants shared their findings Tuesday, and are expected to meet with community groups to continue sharing their findings.
A standalone department would cost $146.6 million in facilities and equipment, plus another $99.8 million in personnel and related costs. Property taxes would go up from between $226 a year for the least expensive homes in the city to $677 for the most expensive homes, those worth more than $500,000.
City commissioners were careful to point out at Tuesday night’s unveiling of the report that the governor and state Legislature appear determined to eliminate taxes for homesteaded properties across the state, introducing a long-term fiscal uncertainty to any plans Pompano Beach may consider.
“There are so many unknowns,” said City Commissioner Rhonda Sigerson-Eaton.
Under the current contract, Pompano will pay the Sheriff’s Office $64.9 million for police services. The city runs its own fire-rescue service.
One of the consultants that worked on the study for Pompano concluded last year that neighboring Deerfield Beach would save between $250 million and $900 million a year by cutting ties with BSO, which the city ultimately decided to do.
No such projection was made for Pompano, and city officials say it will be many months before a decision is reached.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.