Broward County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize the County Attorney’s Office to pursue legal action to gain access to county-owned facilities used by the Broward Sheriff’s Office, including its Research, Development and Training Center. The emergency-meeting motion, introduced by Mayor Mark Bogen, permits county attorneys to take “any and all appropriate legal action” to inspect the facilities and enforce the county’s rights. It authorizes possible legal remedies but does not mean a lawsuit has been filed. The vote came a day after Bogen and several commissioners were turned away when they tried to enter the sheriff’s headquarters to inspect the training center. A deputy told the group, which included reporters, that visits must be arranged through the sheriff’s office. County leaders say they should have access because the county owns the building. Sheriff Gregory Tony disputes that position, saying commissioners cannot show up unannounced to inspect or audit sheriff’s facilities. “Taxpayers of Broward County deserve to know how every dollar is being spent,” Bogen said at Tuesday’s meeting. The access dispute is part of a months-long conflict over the sheriff’s budget and what financial oversight the county commission can exercise. Bogen said last week he planned to direct the county auditor to examine BSO spending and request budget records from the sheriff’s office. Commissioner Steve Geller said the county has provided the sheriff’s office about $885 million, while commissioners lack a complete picture of its funding from state and federal sources. Geller also cited differences in annual budget changes: he said BSO funding rose 8.7% in 2025, compared with 2.7% for other county agencies; in 2026, BSO funding increased 3.1% while other agencies saw a slight decrease; and in 2027, the increases were 6.4% for BSO and 3.4% for other agencies. Bogen said he believes releasing more financial information could settle the dispute. Tony, in a social media video posted after the vote, called the commission’s actions a political stunt and said it lacks authority to conduct unannounced inspections. He also said BSO was operating under a “cone of silence” because of what he described as a state prosecutor’s criminal investigation involving the commission. County Attorney Annika Ashton told commissioners she was unaware of any criminal investigation involving commissioners or county staff. The conflict could affect which county services remain with the sheriff’s office. In September, commissioners voted to take control of the county fire department, previously run by BSO. They have also discussed whether airport and seaport security and the county’s 911 system should be moved out of the sheriff’s office.