Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen ripped into Sheriff Gregory Tony on Tuesday, accusing the top law enforcement official of grandstanding, bullying and hiding behind “ridiculous, disparaging videos” instead of having an honest dialogue about spending.

The unusually harsh rhetoric came a day after Tony announced he was suspending budget negotiations with the commission while the county faces scrutiny from the statewide prosecutor’s office. Prosecutors haven’t specified a reason for an investigation, though subpoenas issued last month show their review includes looking into the county’s contracts with a consultant for law enforcement studies at the airport and seaport.

The sheriff on Monday announced he was suspending budget negotiations with county leaders, saying any such discussion would not be “prudent.” He was not at the county meeting Tuesday. Bogen said the budget negotiations ended weeks ago when the county passed a budget.

“We already passed the budget, so I don’t know what you’re suspending,” Bogen said before mocking the sheriff’s declaration that Broward citizens deserve stable government, responsible stewardship of public resources, fairness, and accountability.

“I certainly agree that we do,” Bogen said. “So let us audit your budget, sheriff! … If you believe in accountability, let us audit your $850 million budget so we can have accountability to the people of Broward County. … We need to audit your budget so you’re not above scrutiny.”

County Auditor Bob Melton weighed in with a rare, public criticism of an elected official. Melton chastised Tony for ignoring suggestions to improve the delivery of law enforcement services at the airport. Recommendations “that were not implemented were because the sheriff did not cooperate or furnish the detailed data,” Melton said. “Many of them dealt with the sheriff’s failure to provide actual expenses to compare to the budgeted expenses. … This is not proper stewardship on the part of the sheriff.”

Tony has not appeared personally before the commission since May. Instead he has posted numerous videos to the sheriff’s social media pages arguing his case without interruption or questioning from elected officials, which drew more criticism from Bogen on Tuesday.

“Stop bullying us,” Bogen said. “Stop doing your ridiculous, disparaging videos. Be professional and come and talk like a professional.”

The commission voted unanimously to begin a process that would ultimately lead to a county takeover of 911 services from the sheriff by next October. Some commissioners initially balked at the idea in the absence of further study, but Bogen pointed out studying the matter would be part of the process, and that Tony has already made it clear a dialogue on any issue is off the table for now.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel has reached out to the Sheriff’s Office for comment.

Earlier this year, Tony sought a 12.4% funding increase over last year’s $833 million budget. The county passed a 6.4% increase, bringing the budget for the current fiscal year (which started Oct. 1) to $885 million.

Tony has argued that the county’s numbers reflect a lack of commitment to law enforcement officers, who need hefty raises to remain competitive with other law enforcement agencies in the region.

“BSO is lowest paid of all agencies in Broward County,” Undersheriff Steve Robson said at a June budget workshop, citing an average $4,000 gap between deputies and officers with police departments in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. “We are just not competitive in the marketspace. … Law enforcement (at BSO) has lost 689 employees in the last three years.”

The relationship between Tony and the commission has steadily soured over the past year. When the commission declined to meet his budget request last year, Tony asked the state to intervene. That request appears to have gone unanswered.

Meanwhile, the county hired a consultant to determine the feasibility of removing the Sheriff’s Office from its responsibilities at the airport and seaport.

The consultant came back saying it would be feasible to create new law enforcement agencies, but more study would be needed. The county is preparing to hire another consultant for that additional study.

The cost of the consultations is coming from port fees, not taxpayers, County Administrator Monica Cepero has said repeatedly.

Tony has argued that the cost of starting new agencies is $180 million more than continuing with BSO, citing the initial consultant’s estimates.

Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.