Politics
Broward officials clash over scrutiny of sheriff’s $870 million spending plan
Mayor Mark Bogen says Broward County may pursue legal action unless Sheriff Gregory Tony provides detailed spending records for his $870 million budget. Tony says the sheriff’s office is audited and has promised to release supporting records and images of a new training center.
Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen warned Sunday that the county could take legal action if Sheriff Gregory Tony does not provide commissioners with a detailed accounting of the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s $870 million budget, escalating a dispute over public spending and oversight.
Bogen said the disagreement centers on disclosure, arguing that existing audits do not give commissioners enough information about how funds are used. “Taxpayers deserve to know” where their money is going, he said during a televised interview Sunday.
The commission announced Friday that it would investigate BSO spending. Tony responded on social media that the agency is already audited and accused commissioners of undermining Florida’s largest public safety organization. He later said supporting records would be made public the following week.
A key point of contention is BSO’s new training facility. Bogen said it cost more than expected and questioned why features including a wellness center with massage tables, saunas and spa facilities were not disclosed in the initial project scope. Tony said BSO would provide commissioners with video and photographs of the center, adding, “We welcome transparency — and we will uphold it.”
Bogen, commissioners and members of the media were scheduled to visit the facility Monday.
The budget fight is part of a broader conflict between the commission and the sheriff’s office. The commission recently voted to take fire rescue services back from BSO and has considered removing the agency from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades. Those actions led statewide prosecutors to subpoena the commission for records concerning the county’s hiring of a consulting firm.
Bogen called the subpoena an intimidation tactic. Tony has said he expects to discuss the dispute publicly. The county has not, in the statements described Sunday, specified what legal action it might pursue or set a deadline for receiving the requested records.