NEAR FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) \u2014 City leaders in Deerfield Beach decided they are done with the Broward Sheriff\u2019s Office and are moving forward with their own first responders.<\/p>\n
In a 4-1 vote taken late Tuesday night, Deerfield Beach commissioners opted to cut ties with BSO and form their own police and fire departments.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to make a motion to begin the process of establishing the City of Deerfield Beach Police and Fire,\u201d said Commissioner Michael Edward Hudak.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll second that,\u201d said Commissioner Tom Plaut.<\/p>\n
The vote was then taken. Vice Mayor Ben Preston was the lone dissenting vote.<\/p>\n
The motion ends the longstanding partnership Deerfield Beach has had with BSO since the 1990s.<\/p>\n
\u201cI realize that there are many different opinions on this subject, and people get hot under the collar depending on which side that they\u2019re on,\u201d said Deerfield Beach Mayor Todd Drosky.<\/p>\n
The commissioners who favored the move to cut ties said this decision boils down to cost, after a feasibility study determined that despite an initial investment to get started, they will save around $8 million a year should they go independent.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder the BSO model, it is indisputable that the city has limited authority over staffing, compensation. benefits and operational decisions,\u201d said Drosky.<\/p>\n
Dozens of residents spoke out during the lengthy meeting. Some residents were in favor of the commission\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cSay no to BSO,\u201d said Charles as he addressed commissioners.<\/p>\n
But may who took to the podium stated their case against parting ways with the law enforcement agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, I don\u2019t want to put the trust of my life into someone who\u2019s new,\u201d said Tiffany.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe it\u2019s a huge slap in the face to your residents to not take the sheriff up on his offer,\u201d said another resident.<\/p>\n
Tuesday\u2019s vote comes after a tense debate between Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony and the city over the past 10 months, with city leaders frustrated with the terms BSO had proposed for a new contract, mainly the budget increase BSO officials said was needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision\u2019s about whether Deerfield Beach governs its own future or remains subject to cost structures it cannot influence,\u201d said Drosky.<\/p>\n
Back on Jan. 7, Tony proposed a two-year extension on their contract and to fund a new feasibilty study to show why the partnership should remain.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would extend this contract for two years, and I will pay for the study. You pick the group,\u201d the sheriff told commissioners.<\/p>\n
But despite the push from residents, city officials chose not to take Tony up on his offer. <\/p>\n
The city will now enter a transition phase that could take over a year. During that time, BSO will continue to provide services, as the city begins the process of forming their own police and fire rescue departments.<\/p>\n
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