Broward sheriff's proposed budget would exceed $1 billion

The Broward Sheriff's Office is proposing a budget of more than $1 billion for the next fiscal year, a much higher figure than last year's budget. And some county commissioners, who will ultimately vote on the issue, are already saying much is unlikely to be approved.

For the budget, the sheriff's office cites the need for projects such as new helicopters, jail improvements and better work space for deputies assigned to the airport.

Although constitutional officers – the property appraiser, public defender, state's attorney and clerk of court – submit budgets for approval, “the largest and, for many, most important submission comes from the office Broward Sheriff's Office,” Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said Monday. a written statement provided to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

He said Broward's projected growth means “the need for better tools and increased staff to provide public safety services.”

Broward County administration says Tony's budget, with two requested increases, is $1.3 billion; Tony's proposed 335-page budget on the county's website shows a total of $1.53 billion.

The Broward County Commission will discuss the Sheriff's Office budget request at a budget workshop Thursday, before setting next year's fiscal budget, which takes effect Oct. 1.

The sheriff's statement says the sheriff's office's requests include the following.

More MPs

The sheriff's office wants to create 242 additional full-time positions in everything from the county fire department to 911 and the detention department, as well as a pay raise for assigned detention deputies to county jails, which he said is necessary for retention and recruitment.

Helicopter assistance

New helicopters to “replace and strengthen the fleet”.

The Broward Sheriff's Office cited the tragic crash last year of a sheriff's air rescue helicopter crashing in the sky, killing a battalion chief and a resident on the ground.

County records show the department is seeking $9.6 million for down payments on four additional helicopters. Last year, officials decided to set aside $15 million for new helicopters.

911 services

According to the sheriff's office memo sent to the county, “reasonable and necessary capital improvement projects” would include construction, repair or improvement of jail facilities, an $86.5 million consolidated 911 response center that would be part of the public safety complex and a $5.5 million “suitable workspace” for deputies assigned to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

“Without adequate and effective public safety services, a community cannot thrive,” Tony said in his written statement to the Sun Sentinel.

Several county commissioners said they couldn't get their calculations right without slashing services or raising taxes.

County Commissioner Steve Geller said the sheriff “wants us to raise all the taxes while he spends all the money.” It will not arrive. Period.”

Even without the requested increase, the budget for the sheriff's office — which patrols the airport, seaport and contracts with many Broward cities for law enforcement and disaster relief services fire — already makes up a little more than half of the total budget, Geller said.

“We should probably close most of our parks, most of our libraries, stop providing mental health (services), stop providing affordable housing,” Geller said. “It’s a completely unrealistic budget. I mean, look at what percentage of our budget he's asking for.

Commissioner Michael Udine called it a “non-starter for this budget cycle.”

“The basic math shows it’s impossible to do,” Commissioner Michael Udine said. “There are really no words.”

Mayor Nan Rich said she looked forward to a public debate so both sides could listen and get clarification on the request.

“It's a huge amount of money and my question would be, 'Is this a one-year budget because it has a lot of elements that look like capital investments over several years?' “, she said. “Then we need to figure out what we can afford to do.”

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at [email protected]. Follow on X, formerly Twitter, @LisaHuriash