Pompano Beach took its first step Tuesday in extending its contract with the Broward Sheriff’s Office by three years, ending the debate — for the moment — over whether it’s time to return to a stand-alone police department.
“This contract provides the city with reliability of service while maintaining continuity,” said Assistant City Manager Earl Bosworth. The contract includes a rate-increase cap of 5% a year, Bosworth said.
Last year 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 found an independent 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 to $677 a year, depending on the value of the home.
Consultants did not explicitly promise whether that would amount to a cost savings in the long run. In contrast, consultants concluded after studying neighboring Deerfield Beach determined that city would save between $250 million and $900 million over 20 years. Deerfield voted to cut ties with BSO in January.
In Pompano, officials said extending the contract with the Sheriff’s Office would not preclude the city from exploring a return of the Pompano Beach Police Department.
“No one is being asked to make a decision whether we want a stand-alone police department,” said City Attorney Mark Berman. “That option remains open with this contract. You lose nothing.”
Sheriff Gregory Tony applauded the commission for extending the contract.
“It’s not my focal point to obstruct you to make decisions on behalf of this community,” said Tony, whose assertive leadership style sometimes complicated negotiations with Deerfield. The sheriff struck a more diplomatic tone addressing the City Commission on Tuesday. He acknowledged that later study might lead commissioners to cut ties after all.
“If the decision is made two years from now, you will have our support,” Tony promised.
Either the city or BSO would be permitted to provide 90 days’ notice to end the contract, which would trigger a two-year transition period after which Pompano Beach would be on its own for police services. The city already has its own fire-rescue department.
Mayor Rex Hardin said Wednesday the contract extension was the best move for the city because it provides continuity of service “at a known cost” with better contract terms. For example, he said, the provision limiting increases to 5% a year would block the sheriff from asking for double-digit rate increases. A year ago, BSO asked Pompano for a 16% hike, which it did not get.
Tuesday’s vote was preliminary. The Pompano Beach City Commission will hold a second vote on the issue July 28. If it passes again, the contract becomes official.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.