[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6508882,"mediaKeyId","5449043-74ef831aa48931bc27c4cef79cd24d0a","parentId",5449043,"title","Optimus Club audit ordered as commissioners and club leaders spar over records, RecTrac enrollment","audioSeconds",5468,"startMs",1458000,"endMs",6926000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5449043-74ef831aa48931bc27c4cef79cd24d0a&start=1458&end=6926","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5449043-74ef831aa48931bc27c4cef79cd24d0a/thumbnail_1458000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6508882/Cooper-City/Broward-County/Florida/Optimus-Club-audit-ordered-as-commissioners-and-club-leaders-spar-over-records-RecTrac-enrollment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508882-aa25362c930802f081fc1327aaed8188/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153442&Signature=LIfK5QKhbsZVNC137wzedSEoedCbR6SS8aGLn~wrYx8FhVYYvM-FcmdCjfbSMoHIWFuyDqtZWn7-37mVeM8nWJFJrUhbqkxhHLCxoK8BABq4Kp08RcXRKbMgrbiryD37hq8aLQ0YkxzaXSvAWL4rA~pON4e7or5xtyW7Ljy7Cc9q5NFiYmIqgGXP-ZjpEBTaPTXOrP8LDF2X51JjiR~RRhDnh9CBvjHjZLL8nnqZs46egjuZR4mcrA2Q5fLSLVByBJI62lXr2lwRrD8GuSIxzgPUSgZjTcm83UeLCzI0b6ELEqsVVi6nBvMC~1-6sJlc0AI3Kn~HGELY1hYYssIQaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cooper City ","date","2025-07-22T00:00:00Z","article","Cooper City's commission moved on July 25 to authorize a certified financial audit of the Optimist Club Cooper City under the facility use agreement, and commissioners and Optimist leaders used the public-comment period to air disputes about records access, meeting minutes and registration practices.

What happened: Commissioner Schroeder sponsored a motion to conduct a certified financial audit under the facility-use agreement section that allows the city to determine scope; during discussion commissioners said the audit may include a forensic component to investigate alleged irregularities. The transcript records the commission authorizing the audit and asking staff to return with a defined scope and cost estimate.

What Optimist leadership said: Pete Schlanger, president of the Optimist Club, described recent governance changes: the club is rewriting its articles of incorporation and bylaws, rebidding insurance, recruiting a CPA as treasurer, standardizing sponsorships, and implementing policy changes. Schlanger said the club has been cooperative but objected to what he described as public accusations and to requests for bank statements without context. He said the club is willing to provide records.

Commissioner concerns and staff response: Commissioners noted discrepancies in past practices, asked why some historical records were missing and raised questions about registration flows into RecTrac. Commissioner Katzmann said registration and residency-verification requirements were being adjusted to ease the sign-up burden while ensuring resident eligibility. City staff agreed to work with the Optimist Club and with the recreation staff to improve RecTrac enrollment, reporting cadence and transparency.

Why it matters: The Optimist Club runs youth recreation programs on city fields under a facility use agreement. The commission's authority to require audits stems from that agreement; audit findings may affect future facility use, insurance and financial oversight.

Next steps and scope: City staff will draft an audit scope (the commission discussed including a forensic component) and return with procurement and cost options. The club's president agreed to provide bank statements and financial materials requested by the city.

Ending: Commissioners emphasized preserving youth programs while ensuring fiscal transparency and compliance with the facility-use agreement; staff will return with an audit scope and timeline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cooper City - City Commission Meeting - Jul 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission authorized a certified financial audit of the Optimist Club Cooper City and commissioners and Optimist leadership exchanged concerns about recordkeeping, public records access, and rec registration procedures.","taxTitle","Cooper City, Broward County, Florida","taxId",45148,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6508885,"Cooper City Commission approves contracts, ordinances and budget measures; sets tentative millage",487,840000,1327000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5449043-74ef831aa48931bc27c4cef79cd24d0a&start=840&end=1327","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5449043-74ef831aa48931bc27c4cef79cd24d0a/thumbnail_840000.jpg","/articles/6508885/Cooper-City/Broward-County/Florida/Cooper-City-Commission-approves-contracts-ordinances-and-budget-measures-sets-tentative-millage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508885-e227a3441a8506554040bae6f33c3526/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153442&Signature=Zej1-xPZk2l3S2s9Y1DOtLsWDLq1KUKSJLeMsLGle1usF0dND4ZWsWOLMUou4T8Pa9a4XTPUjY30B4J6qp-awvWiraTD5YFGhi7SUUNkzywIsPLmKSc2zVFJba67g1PhEnTVI4xwmIxR-kP~xxSsfD5-sRzNED-z2QsFKcRzp2WdEBICnlkb-E2GfmaJr5~3Sx5G3vH-KQwnL2unmfNGvDGmyOTU4nR2UNlklQyQwpwWsvg0N4PC952a4NgDVUc89Afrg~Q66pN~G58XuSZEsBMfeXSCX26IJSelxS12M36K58Msva~ph~TN6K2L9tnAaKxBPQDYevdQ8RMuWkLg2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cooper City Commission on July 25 approved multiple contracts, budget measures and first-reading ordinances and gave staff direction on code enforcement. Key votes included a school resource officer agreement, a service agreement to install artistic wraps, purchase of sports-field security lighting, and adoption of a tentative millage rate for fiscal year 2025-26.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 24-43 (school resource officer agreement with Broward Sheriff's Office and Renaissance Charter School): Approved 5-0. The agreement continues a tri-party arrangement in which Renaissance pays the cost of a dedicated school resource officer and the city acts as pass-through for billing.
- Service agreement with FASTSIGNS (utility box artistic wraps): Approved 5-0.
- Purchase of security lighting from Musco Sports Lighting LLC ($89,500): Approved 3-2 (Commissioner Schroeder and Mayor Curran voted no). Staff said fixture, pole and maintenance are covered by a 10-year warranty but the LED lamps themselves are not included.
- Direction to draft strengthened enforcement protocols for lawn/yard debris disposal: Approved (direction to staff to work with Code/Community Development and return with ordinance language for commission consideration) 5-0.
- Certified financial audit of the Optimist Club Cooper City (per facility use agreement section 6.3): Motion to conduct a certified financial audit (including the option for a forensic component) was moved and supported; the transcript indicates the commission authorized an audit and asked staff to determine scope and cost (vote not explicitly recorded in the transcript).
- City manager annual evaluation and salary amendment: The commission approved an amendment setting the city manager's salary at $248,000 (vote 3-2; Commissioners Smith, Katzmann and Schroeder yes; Commissioner Mallozzi and Mayor Curran no) and directed that vacation taken but not yet earned be subject to reconciliation on separation (amendment to contract).
- Pine Island Road maintenance first-amendment agreement (City, Broward County, Montero CDD): Approved unanimously.
- Resolution setting fire-assessment rates (Resolution 25-47): Approved unanimously; commissioners discussed that the action sets a ceiling and that any future increases would trigger additional notice requirements.
- Resolution adopting tentative millage rate for FY 2025-26 (5.845 mills): Approved unanimously.
- Retroactive expenditure $19,638.25 to Concrete Works and Pave Inc. for water, sewer and drainage repairs: Approved unanimously. Staff explained the purchase order/budget amount discrepancy and said they will improve PO controls.
- First-reading ordinances approved on first reading (no final adoption yet): housekeeping changes to fire-assessment code and an agreement with the county tax collector; temporary sponsorship signage program for Cooper City Optimist Club (sign size and border standards); maximum hedge height (8 feet) in zoning code; amended permanent sign/monument sign rules; cost-recovery amendments for administrative site-plan reviews.

How commissioners voted (selected items)
- Consent agenda (after pulling several items): Approved 5-0.
- Item 14 (Renaissance/BSO SRO agreement): Smith Y, Mallozzi Y, Katzmann Y, Schroeder Y, Mayor Curran Y.
- Item 23 (FASTSIGNS utility box wraps): Smith Y, Mallozzi Y, Katzmann Y, Schroeder Y, Mayor Curran Y.
- Item 25 (Musco lighting purchase $89,500): Smith Y, Mallozzi Y, Katzmann Y, Schroeder N, Mayor Curran N.
- Item 30 (City manager pay amendment to $248,000): Smith Y, Mallozzi N, Katzmann Y, Schroeder Y, Mayor Curran N.

Context and next steps: Several first-reading ordinances will return for final reading; staff will implement the awarded purchases and contracts. For the Optimist Club audit, staff will finalize scope (commission discussed the possibility of a forensic component). For the BSO-related budget risk discussed separately, staff were asked to continue dialogues and return with recommended options.

Ending: The meeting balanced standard municipal business (contracts, purchases and code housekeeping) with higher-profile policy work on public safety and the oversight audit requested for a local youth organization.","At its July 25 meeting the commission approved a series of resolutions, purchases and first-reading ordinances including a school resource officer agreement, arts wraps, lighting purchases and the tentative millage and fire-assessment measures; commissioners also directed staff to draft a yard-debris enforcement ordinance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6508890,"Cooper City commissioners press for answers after Broward Sheriff's Office seeks uncapped pass-through of costs",226,5253000,5479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5449043-74ef831aa48931bc27c4cef79cd24d0a&start=5253&end=5479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5449043-74ef831aa48931bc27c4cef79cd24d0a/thumbnail_5253000.jpg","/articles/6508890/Cooper-City/Broward-County/Florida/Cooper-City-commissioners-press-for-answers-after-Broward-Sheriffs-Office-seeks-uncapped-pass-through-of-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6508890-c9ae7672414a003ea2c72762044013f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153442&Signature=HXubrLjdgVEi5CO92ftpfI-c68tY8TYV8OQpiIHz0p3fRZHqGgMnQwMnFvCr9JwkmSvnaVuOudDHqRrXnODsoAr7~Y3kJwSEohPbw8K3SPNS30EzP73QKALTqHSh33XSd4tMwqiExp9iRFgDtJHzj4uIst4EogqcpbzehxKMGIiF1CtSSjGFhrdIgIQsrDpt5sbU~wxi8jwLR4FFZlGEc~ktrAU6rITZbaj5H3idFoDAzP5ZOUEBMoRSOoT7dhh6xPot2hsKSpNiMmo4VkPkKgZSgerX0x0~LpdpJu2i1y~HXTvF7JMkfI9pX765gUtxR0CkCUixxsxusrWa7EROEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cooper City commissioners on July 25 pressed city staff for more information and asked the city manager to explore alternatives after the Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) sent a consideration letter that would remove negotiated caps and pass through future pay increases and overhead to contract cities.

Commissioner Mallozzi said the letter and BSO's response to other cities amount to being \"held over a barrel,\" and she urged the city to examine other options rather than accept an open-ended pass-through. \"If I have to privatize to save being strong armed because it's what's best for my city and my residents, then that's a step I'm willing to take,\" Mallozzi said.

City staff described the letter as incorporating proposed pay raises and other line items BSO calls an \"overhead rate,\" and said some line items lacked detail. The city manager told the commission staff had asked for itemized backup and does not yet have enough detail to verify whether all charges are appropriate or incremental.

Why it matters: Cooper City, like many Broward municipalities, contracts with BSO for police services. An open-ended pass-through of cost increases would transfer negotiation risk and future cost growth to the city and its taxpayers.

What the commission directed: Commissioners unanimously agreed the city should not simply accept unilateral changes without detail. The manager was directed to:
- Seek additional, itemized documentation from BSO explaining how overtime, replacement deputies, overhead and other line items are calculated and billed;
- Pursue direct meetings with BSO leadership (including a request to meet with the sheriff) and with neighboring cities to coordinate a regional approach; and
- Evaluate alternative service options, including split-service arrangements or other regional partnerships, and to report findings to the commission for policy direction.

Discussion highlights: Several commissioners said they support BSO deputies and the level of service they provide but objected to a unilateral, uncapped approach from central BSO. Commissioner Schroeder said Cooper City has repeatedly added resources and wants to continue paying fair market rates, but cautioned the commission cannot accept unlimited increases without contractual protections. Commissioner Katzmann and the city manager noted that some cities have contracts running through 2026 and 2027 and that BSO's current posture threatens those agreements.

Next steps: Staff will request the detailed cost breakdown from BSO, attempt to schedule direct discussions with the sheriff's office, and begin an options analysis (timeline not specified). The commission asked for regular updates and suggested outreach to the Public Safety Committee and neighboring cities.

Ending: Commissioners framed the issue as fiscal stewardship and public-safety priorities: maintain service levels for residents, but require clearer accounting and contractual limits before agreeing to open-ended price pass-throughs.","Commissioners pushed for more transparency and directed staff to explore alternatives after the Broward Sheriff's Office sent a consideration letter that would allow contract cities to be billed for rising personnel and overhead costs without a negotiated cap.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Optimus Club audit ordered as commissioners and club leaders spar over records, RecTrac enrollment

Cooper City Commission approves contracts, ordinances and budget measures; sets tentative millage

Cooper City commissioners press for answers after Broward Sheriff's Office seeks uncapped pass-through of costs