Deerfield-News.com-Deerfield Beach, FL-The numbers are in. The City of Deerfield Beach will be better off with our own Police and Fire departments again! It is not just the numbers and cost; it is the control that must be given back to our city leaders and taken away from Sheriff Gregory Tony, who canceled our contract
Three of these gentlemen must vote to leave BSO and form our Police and Fire Departments on January 20th, and it will be done!
This comprehensive feasibility study evaluates the potential transition of the City of Deerfield Beach’s
law enforcement services from the current Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) contract model to an
independent municipal police department. The purpose of this study is to provide City leadership
with clear information and a decision-ready assessment of long-term service delivery options, fiscal
sustainability, operational performance, and capital implications associated with each approach.
This analysis encompasses staffing requirements, deployment models, capital investment needs,
operating costs, escalation trends, and implementation planning. Particular emphasis is placed on
comparing the City’s current BSO contract—which has demonstrated significant escalation of costs
reaching 10.2% based on their most recent May 2025 compensation study—to an independent
municipal model designed to provide enhanced patrol coverage while giving the City direct operational
and policy control.
It is important to distinguish between ongoing operating costs and total short-term cash flow when
evaluating the results of this study. On an operating basis, an independent police department is
projected to reduce annual personnel costs by approximately $3.24 million in the first full operational
year compared to the current BSO contract, despite also adding 6 positions to enhance patrol coverage
and address additional functional needs. However, the transition to independent operations requires
significant one-time startup and capital investments, including vehicle procurement, technology
systems, and other equipment acquisition. As a result, total expenditures in Year 1 will exceed the BSO
contract due to these non-recurring capital and startup costs. If the startup costs are amortized, the
total costs for implementing a municipal model will be lower than the current BSO contract.
Once initial capital investments are completed, the independent department generates net annual
savings beginning in Year 2, with savings accelerating each subsequent year due to the compounding
difference between BSO contract escalation and municipal cost growth. Over a twenty-year horizon,
the analysis demonstrates that long-term fiscal exposure under the BSO contract materially exceeds
that of independent operations, making escalation risk—not service capability—the primary driver of
the City’s long-term financial liability.
This study is intended to support discussions by the City Commission and city staff by presenting
a transparent, apples-to-apples evaluation of both service models, clarifying near-term budget
impacts while emphasizing long-term financial sustainability, service reliability, and local governance
considerations.
This analysis suggests significant fiscal advantages to establishing an independent police department
while maintaining or enhancing current service levels through expanded staffing and local direction
and control. For the purposes of comparison, full staffing complements are utilized, and dollar amounts
are in current-year dollars. Furthermore, the costs proposed in the May 2025 consideration letter
from BSO are being utilized, although there were also proposed reductions of first-year capital costs
by $201,900 and expenses by $15,000; these represent 0.6% of the total costs originally proposed
and are negligible considering the projected savings and the long-term service cost impacts if the city
maintained contractual services with BSO.
The following represents the primary findings of this study:
1. BSO Contract Cost: The current BSO Police contract totals $35,732,894 for FY2026, consisting
of $30,630,680 in Personnel Expenses (85.7%), $2,327,334 in Operating Expenditures (6.5%),
$1,519,756 in Capital Outlay (4.3%), and $1,255,124 in Transfers and Reserves (3.5%). The BSO’s
FY2026 consideration letter reflected a request for an overall 10.2% increase, largely contributed to
by their compensation study. It should be noted that the increase for FY2027 is expected to include
contractual escalations as well as the remainder of the proposed salary increases (estimated at
10.88%). Future increases in personnel services, capital, and operating costs would be capped at 5%
annually, except for the following costs: workers’ compensation premiums, other post-employment
benefits (OPEB), health insurance premiums, and retirement and pension contributions. These
expense categories would have no cap, but would be based on “projected costs.” Also, it is important
to note that transfers to the BSO general fund reserves are not addressed in the latest available
proposed contract. These expenses, billed as “Transfers and Reserves” (currently, $1,255,124), were
previously included in the overall 5% cap calculations, but are not mentioned as either having or
not having a cap in the latest contract.
2. Independent Department Cost: An independent police department would cost approximately
$27,387,320 annually in personnel costs with 158 positions, based on a conservative projection
baseline. This represents potential first-year savings of $3,243,360 in personnel costs compared to
the BSO contract.
3. Staffing Enhancement: : The independent model increases total positions from 152 to 158, including
expanded patrol coverage and community service aides to provide for comprehensive local police
services. The average loaded personnel FTE (full-time equivalent) cost per position drops from
$206,267 under the BSO contract to $173,337 under the independent municipal model—a reduction
of 16%.
4. 20-Year Savings: Cumulative personnel savings over a 20-year period are projected at $334
million to $526 million, so long as BSO escalation rates adhere to the most recent contract caps
and subsequent increases based on historical increases. This is primarily driven by the difference in
escalation between BSO and independent municipal operations and cost savings realized through
local oversight.
5. Implementation Timeline: A successful transition requires 16-20 months from decision to full
operations, driven primarily by vehicle procurement lead times, technology system implementation,
and personnel recruitment.
KEY FINDINGS
3
The following table summarizes the key financial metrics comparing the BSO contract with the
independent department model:
COST COMPARISON SUMMARY
3. Staffing Enhancement: The independent model increases total positions from 152 to 158, including
expanded patrol coverage and community service aides to provide for comprehensive local police
services. The average loaded personnel FTE (full-time equivalent) cost per position drops from
$206,267 under the BSO contract to $173,337 under the independent municipal model—a reduction
of 16%.
4. 20-Year Savings: Cumulative personnel savings over a 20-year period are projected at $334
million to $526 million, so long as BSO escalation rates adhere to the most recent contract caps
and subsequent increases based on historical increases. This is primarily driven by the difference in
escalation between BSO and independent municipal operations and cost savings realized through
local oversight.
5. Implementation Timeline: A successful transition requires 16-20 months from decision to full
operations, driven primarily by vehicle procurement lead times, technology system implementation,
and personnel recruitment.
KEY FINDINGS
3
The following table summarizes the key financial metrics comparing the BSO contract with the
independent department model:
COST COMPARISON SUMMARY
COST COMPARISON SUMMARY
METRIC BSO
CONTRACT
INDEPENDENT
DEPT DIFFERENCE
FY2026 TOTAL ANNUAL PERSONNEL COST $30,630,680 $27,387,320 $3,243,360
TOTAL PERSONNEL 152 (148.5 FTE) 158 +6
PERSONNEL COST PER POSITION $206,267 $173,337 -$32,930
SWORN OFFICERS 135 142 +7
CIVILIAN STAFF 17 16 -1
20-YEAR PERSONNEL SAVINGS @ 1%-3%
DIFFERENCE IN ANNUAL ESCALATION – $334,219,270-
526,136,261 –
Based on a comprehensive analysis of operational requirements, financial projections, and community
needs, the City will have the information necessary should the City proceed with establishing an
independent Deerfield Beach Police Department. This approach provides substantial long-term cost
savings while enhancing service levels through expanded staffing and maintaining local control over
public safety operations.
This recommendation is supported by the following factors: (1) projected 20-year savings ranging
from $334 million to $526 million compared to BSO depending on escalation scenarios; (2) annual
personnel cost reduction of $3.24 million in Year 1 despite 6 additional positions; (3) appropriate
command structure providing better local accountability and community-driven needs; (4) HR, IT,
Finance, and other administrative support staff improving operational efficiency and effectiveness
locally; and (5) direct City control over hiring, training, policies, culture, and community engagement.
RECOMMENDATION
Note: BSO escalation ranges from 5% (contra
Note: BSO escalation ranges from 5% (contractual cap for 80% of total contract amount) to exceeding
10% (FY2026 and FY2027 requested rates based on salary study). The contract also provides
language to include potential additional, future salary studies that may result in exceeding the 5%
cap. Conservative estimates based on historical increases and contractual caps are approximately
7.5%. The independent model assumes annual COLA and a Public Safety step plan for each position
classification. The $27,387,320 independent personnel cost represents a conservative projection
baseline; the detailed staffing model includes one-time, start-up costs and support costs (e.g., legal
fees, risk management, and financial claims offset by Transfers and Reserves currently in the BSO
contract). Capital costs are budgeted separately
RECOMMENDATION
Based on a comprehensive analysis of operational requirements, financial projections, and community
needs, the City will have the information necessary should the City proceed with establishing an
independent Deerfield Beach Police Department. This approach provides substantial long-term cost
savings while enhancing service levels through expanded staffing and maintaining local control over
public safety operations.
This recommendation is supported by the following factors: (1) projected 20-year savings ranging
from $334 million to $526 million compared to BSO depending on escalation scenarios; (2) annual
personnel cost reduction of $3.24 million in Year 1 despite 6 additional positions; (3) appropriate
command structure providing better local accountability and community-driven needs; (4) HR, IT,
Finance, and other administrative support staff improving operational efficiency and effectiveness
locally; and (5) direct City control over hiring, training, policies, culture, and community engagement.
Deerfield Beach is a vibrant coastal community situated along the Atlantic Ocean in upper northeastern
part of Broward County. The city encompasses approximately 16 square miles and serves a permanent
resident population of approximately 88,000. As a premier beachfront destination, Deerfield Beach
attracts over 4 million annual visitors who come to enjoy the city’s award-winning beach, international
fishing pier, and diverse recreational amenities. The City also has a large retirement population that
spends only part of the year in Deerfield Beach. Deerfield Beach also hosts several major community
events and sponsors various youth activities and sports events throughout the year. These factors
create significant seasonal and temporary fluctuations in service demand and unique operational
challenges, including crowd management, property crime prevention, enhanced safety for youth
activities, public facilities, and schools, as well as residential and business crime prevention. Traffic
safety enforcement along major corridors and residential streets is also a priority for the City.
The city’s diverse composition includes single-family residential neighborhoods, multifamily
developments, commercial areas and retail districts, entertainment venues, and areas of historical
significance, with many multi-generational families living in the City. This variety of environments
requires law enforcement personnel trained and equipped to respond to the full spectrum of calls, from
residential burglaries and domestic disturbances to commercial crimes and major traffic incidents, in
addition to crime prevention and community engagement responsibilities.
The City of Deerfield Beach, Florida, has contracted with the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) for law
enforcement services since 1990, but has not recently evaluated the potential benefits and cost
comparisons of this contract-services model. The current inter-local agreement runs through March
31, 2026, with renewal options; however, the City and BSO entered into a 24-month “Transition
Period” on 10/01/25. Under this arrangement, BSO provides comprehensive patrol services, criminal
investigations, traffic enforcement, community programs, and related support functions throughout
the city’s jurisdiction, and will continue to do so until such time as the City is prepared to initiate a
municipal department. This transition period provides sufficient time for the City to acquire the needed
operational staffing, equipment, supplies, support staff, and policies and procedures to effectively
launch a stand-alone department.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
This analysis suggests significant fiscal advantages to establishing an independent police department
while maintaining or enhancing current service levels through expanded staffing and local direction
and control. For the purposes of comparison, full staffing complements are utilized, and dollar amounts
are in current-year dollars. Furthermore, the costs proposed in the May 2025 consideration letter
from BSO are being utilized, although there were also proposed reductions of first-year capital costs
by $201,900 and expenses by $15,000; these represent 0.6% of the total costs originally proposed
and are negligible considering the projected savings and the long-term service cost impacts if the if the city
maintained contractual services with BSO.
The following represents the primary findings of this study:
• Document the current BSO service delivery model, staffing levels, deployment patterns, and
associated costs to establish an accurate baseline for comparison
• Projects staffing requirements for an independent department, meeting both community
expectations and industry standards
• Develop comprehensive financial projections comparing both operational approaches over
5-year and 20-year horizons
• Identify implementation requirements, timeline, and transition planning considerations
• Evaluate opportunities for enhanced service delivery through expanded staffing and local
control
This analysis employed multiple research methodologies to ensure comprehensive and defensible
findings. Staffing projections utilized industry standards for municipal police department deployment
as the primary benchmark, supplemented by a detailed analysis of comparable Florida municipalities.
The benchmarking communities were selected based on population size, service area characteristics,
location, municipal and visitor activities, and other relevant factors similar to those of Deerfield Beach.
Financial modeling incorporated actual BSO contract data from official consideration letters, municipal
salary surveys from benchmark communities, benefits cost analysis based on Florida public employer
rates, and industry-standard escalation assumptions. Vehicle and equipment costs are based on
current Florida state contract pricing through NASPO and Lake County Contract #22-730G, as well as
vendor quotes from Garber Ford, Motorola Solutions, Axon Enterprise, and other suppliers.
METHODOLOGY
The following Florida municipalities were selected as primary benchmarks for this analysis based on
their operational similarities to Deerfield Beach:
BENCHMARKING COMMUNITIES
MUNICIPALITY POPULATION SWORN CIVILIAN SERVICE
MODEL
CORAL SPRINGS 134,000 220 75 INDEPENDENT
MUNICIPAL
BOYNTON BEACH 80,000 175 55 INDEPENDENT
MUNICIPAL
BOCA RATON 100,000 200 80 INDEPENDENT
MUNICIPAL
JUPITER 65,000 110 35 INDEPENDENT
MUNICIPAL
DEERFIELD BEACH 88,000 135 17 BSO CONTRACT
The BSO Police contract operates as a comprehensive service agreement where the City pays an
annual consideration fee covering all aspects of law enforcement operations. BSO provides turnkey
services including personnel (salaries, benefits, training), vehicles and equipment, supervision and
administration, and access to specialized resources such as SWAT, aviation support, and regional
coordination. Dispatch services are provided through Broward County and would continue to remain
so in this analysis.
Under this arrangement, the City has extremely limited control over staffing decisions (including hiring,
discipline, retention, and deployment levels), operational policies and procedures, patrol schedules,
compensation structures, collective bargaining, benefits, and priorities. BSO determines deployment
levels, responds to grievances through county procedures, and negotiates with unions representing
law enforcement personnel. The City’s primary input mechanism is limited through annual budget
discussions and periodic contract renewals. The only position for which the City has input is in the
selection of its Chief, which is based on the BSO providing 3 qualified candidates, from whom the City
makes a selection.
TOTAL PERSONNEL EXPENSE $30,630,680 85.7%
OPERATING EXPENDITURES $2,327,334 6.5%
CAPITAL OUTLAY $1,519,756 4.3%
TRANSFERS AND RESERVES $1,255,124 3.5%
TOTAL FY2026 CONTRACT $35,732,894 100%
The FY2026 BSO Police consideration totals $35,732,894, representing a monthly payment of
approximately $2,977,741. The contract breakdown as provided in the May 1, 2025, BSO consideration
letter is as follows:
The proposed BSO contract contains escalation provisions that allow significant annual cost increases.
Per the inter-local agreement, consideration for subsequent fiscal years is determined by adding
budgeted costs for items other than health insurance, workers’ compensation, retirement pension contributions, and other post-employment benefits (OPEB). The latest proposed contract by the BSO
indicates 5% caps on certain categories (e.g., Capital Outlays and Operating Expenditures). Still, it
does not address the Transfers and Reserves, monies paid to the BSO for many of their indirect
services (HR, Finance, etc.) and are not used specifically in the City. This category of expenses had
been capped at 5% in prior contracts, but is not designated as such in the current version. (Note: for
the purposes of calculations used in this analysis, a 5% cap was utilized for these costs.)
Historical analysis indicates actual contract escalation requests have varied significantly, with BSO’s
FY2026 request reaching 10.2% based on their compensation study, with an additional 10.88%
estimated for FY2027. At a 5% compound annual growth rate (the “contractual cap”), the current
consideration contract costs would escalate to approximately $90.3 million by Year 20. At a more
realistic 7.5% annual adjusted rate of increase (accounting for uncapped items such as health
insurance, workers’ compensation, other post-employment benefits, and anticipated future salary
studies), personnel costs alone would exceed $120 million by Year 20. Other operating expenditures,
capital outlay, and transfers and reserves, although capped, would also increase, resulting in an
approximate total law enforcement cost of approximately $137 million in Year 20. The total costs
for law enforcement services under the BSO contract services model over the 20-year period are
estimated to be approximately $1.53 billion.
BSO deploys 152 personnel to Deerfield Beach law enforcement operations. This includes 135 sworn
positions covering patrol, investigations, supervision, and specialty assignments, along with 17 civilian
positions providing administrative support, crime analysis, parking enforcement, and community
service aide functions
POSITION COUNT AV. LOADED COST TOTAL COST
CAPTAIN 1 $325,209 $325,209
LIEUTENANT 3 $298,337 $895,011
SERGEANT 14 $251,420 $3,519,880
DEPUTY SHERIFF 117 $192,432 $22,514,544
SWORN SUBTOTAL 135 — $27,254,644
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF 2 $115,340 $230,680
COMMUNITY SERVICE AIDE 6 $110,169 $661,014
CRIME ANALYST 1 $101,344 $101,344
CLERICAL SPECIALIST 1 $99,870 $99,870
PARKING ENFORCEMENT 7 (P/T) $42,427 $296,989
CIVILIAN SUBTOTAL 17 — $1,389,897
TOTAL DEPLOYMENT 152 (148.5 FTE) $192,892 $28,644,541
The transition to independent operations requires a significant one-time investment in vehicles and
equipment. Vehicle procurement is based on current Florida state contract pricing as reflected in the
Lake County Contract #22-730G and vendor quotes from Garber Ford. Equipment and technology costs
reflect quotes from Motorola Solutions, Axon Enterprise, Dell, CentralSquare, and other suppliers.
Some of these costs may be lower pursuant to provisions in the current BSO contract: “The purchase
price for such equipment shall be determined by mutual agreement of the parties based on the fair
market value of such equipment at the time of the City’s election to purchase.”
VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT INVESTMENT
VEHICLE / EQUIPMENT ITEM QUANTITY COST
FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR UTILITY
(@ $67,211) 125 $8,401,375
FORD ESCAPE CSA/ADM VEHICLES
(@ $36,739) 8 $293,912
CID SEDAN VEHICLES (@ $25,381) 15 $380,715
SPECIALTY VEHICLES UPGRADES Various $121,000
VEHICLE EQUIPMENT — $153,000
SUBTOTAL VEHICLES 153 $9,350,002
Modern law enforcement requires comprehensive technology infrastructure including radio
communications, body cameras, mobile data terminals, records management, and internal affairs
systems. The following reflects vendor quotes from Motorola Solutions, Axon Enterprise, Dell
Technologies, CentralSquare, and other approved suppliers totaling $5,929,126 across 103 line items.
Some of these costs may be lower pursuant to provisions in the current BSO contract: “The purchase
price for such equipment shall be determined by mutual agreement of the parties based on the fair
market value of such equipment at the time of the City’s election to purchase.”
TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM COST
MOTOROLA APX NEXT RADIOS & BODY CAMERAS (145 UNITS) $3,426,146
AXON ENTERPRISE (TASERS, EVIDENCE.COM, FLEET) $552,515
DELL MOBILE DATA TERMINALS (165 UNITS) $349,965
CENTRALSQUARE CAD/RMS SYSTEM $495,000
IAPro/BlueTeam Internal Affairs System $85,000
PowerDMS Policy Management $35,000
OTHER EQUIPMENT (BODY ARMOR, WEAPONS, OFFICE) $785,500
SUBTOTAL TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT $5,729,126
Each officer requires duty weapons, less-lethal options, body armor, uniforms, and personal protective
equipment. Based on vendor quotes from Lawmen’s and Shooters’ Supply, GL Distributors, Blackinton,
and other approved vendors, one-time start-up costs for weapons and less-lethal equipment for
$595,454, uniforms and personal equipment for $235,715, and fleet equipment and accessories totals
$40,613, for a combined subtotal of $871,782.
The initial one-time cost investment for the City to initiate a municipal police department would be
$15,950,910. These costs could be amortized over 5 years at $3.2 million per year or over 10 years
at $1.6 million per year. Alternatively, some equipment, including vehicles, certain technologies, and
other equipment may be leased. This would certainly reduce the year-over-year costs and reduce
the needed start-up funds by approximately $8 million, resulting in a need for approximately $8
million in up-front costs. Lastly, it is recommended that the City attempt to work with the BSO to
acquire vehicles and equipment that the City has either already purchased and can still be used. For
example, in FY2026, the consideration calls for $1.1 million for capital purchases of vehicles, $237,856
for communications capital (radios), and $156,238 for computers. The BSO budget also has $112,352
for uniforms, $394,313 for miscellaneous operating supplies, and a total of $1.15 million for vehicle
maintenance and fuel (note that lease agreements for patrol vehicles can include maintenance costs
as well, further consolidating costs).
Note: All vendor quotes consist of 335 line items from 33 verified vendors including Garber Ford
(vehicles), Motorola Solutions (radios), Axon Enterprise (body cameras, Tasers), Dell Technologies
(MDTs), CentralSquare (CAD/RMS), and Lawmen’s and Shooters’ Supply (weapons).
Establishing an independent police department requires 16-20 months from City Commission decision
to full independent operations. The target operational date would be October 2027, based on the
transition period of the BSO contract.
Based on a comprehensive analysis of operational requirements, financial projections, and community
needs, this study suggests that the City of Deerfield Beach proceed with establishing an independent
municipal police department with 158 personnel, including dedicated support function personnel.
This recommendation is supported by projected 20-year personnel-only savings of $334 million to
$526 million, compared to continuing the BSO contract. The City of Deerfield Beach would also benefit
from local control and decision-making, employee selection and retention, training, policies, and
procedures, prioritization based on community desires and needs, and a more agile responsiveness to
the City’s goals and objectives.
PRIMARY RECOMMENDATION
This analysis demonstrates that an independent Deerfield Beach Police Department should deliver
enhanced law enforcement services at substantially lower personnel and operating costs than the
current BSO contract arrangement, and that any up-front start-up costs would be recouped within
the first few years, depending on how the City ultimately decides to fund those one-time costs. The
158-personnel model provides enhanced patrol coverage, greater community engagement, more
flexible resource allocation, dedicated support functions (that will also enhance other municipal
departments with even greater efficiencies), all while generating substantial long-term savings to the
City. This moment represents a transformational opportunity for the City to redirect resources toward
other community priorities, establish long-term fiscal sustainability, and create a police department
built around local values, community needs, and direct accountability to local City leadership.
https://www.deerfield-beach.com/DocumentCenter/View/20802/Law-Enforcement-Feasibility-Study-?bidId=
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