The dispute between the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the City of Deerfield Beach showed no signs of slowing down this week after the City Commission called for studies into what it would cost to reestablish an independent police and fire-rescue service.
The city’s five-member commission made no permanent decisions at its most recent meeting this week, but it was clear the tensions between their city manager and Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony have not abated, and the long-term safety and security of the city’s 90,000 residents could be affected if the two sides don’t reach agreement soon.
Tony has been livid since last month, when he accused Deerfield City Manager Rodney Brimlow of falsely claiming the sheriff made a credible threat to the city manager’s safety. Tony specifically accused Brimlow of filing a “false police report,” an accusation that has not been supported by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which investigated the allegation. While FDLE found no evidence Tony did anything illegal, at no point was a complaint labeled “false.”
So far, neither side appears willing to budge on the contract negotiations. Tony is accusing the city of refusing to pay the Sheriff’s Office as much as it needs to provide competent law enforcement services and adequately pay deputies for their services. He has threatened to terminate the city’s contracts for fire and police services, a process that would take two years to play out.
The city is accusing Tony of flouting the terms of his agency’s contract by demanding a 10% funding increase when the approved amount is 5% a year.
“The cost for law enforcement is going to exceed $100 million and account for more than 50% of our budget” before 2030, said City Commissioner Michael Hudak, calling for a financial study to control costs and determine what it would take to sever ties with BSO. Hudak said Tony has made the dispute personal by cutting health benefits for Brimlow, who was a Broward sheriff’s captain before he became city manager.
“If this is not personal, why did the sheriff direct union leaders to sign a no confidence letter when the union did not take such a vote?” Hudak asked. The “no confidence” letter criticizing Brimlow came from union leaders in late August after consultation with their boards but not with their general membership.
City Commissioner Ben Preston said it would be a mistake to make a commitment to an independent police force without more information.
“Let’s look at the numbers that will give us some insight into where we’re going,” he said. “If we don’t do that, we are flying blind.”
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.