The Safety Harbor City Commission on Sept. 15 voted 5-0 to approve the city's fiscal year 2026 law enforcement contract with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for $1,980,048. The contract will maintain the city's current level of service, officials said.

Andrew Hawkins, fire chief, told the commission the contract provides continuous 24-hour law enforcement coverage and "includes two community policing deputies with patrol automobiles for 24-hour consecutive hours daily," targeted traffic enforcement using secondary-employment deputies for an average of 20 hours per week, community-oriented policing patrol hours totaling 40 hours per week and 14 school crossing guards. "The total cost of the fiscal year 26 contract is $1,980,048, which is an increase of 7.2" compared with the prior year, Hawkins said.

The nut graf: the contract preserves the existing staffing and services the city receives from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office while increasing the city's line-item by roughly 7% for the coming fiscal year. City staff told commissioners that proposed FY26 budget documents include sufficient funding for the contract.

In discussion, commissioners thanked the sheriff's deputies and noted positive community feedback about local deputies' engagement. No public speakers requested time on the item. A motion to approve the contract passed unanimously.

Background details: the contract continues a multi-year relationship in which the sheriff's office provides patrol, community policing and traffic enforcement services to Safety Harbor. Hawkins said the contract has been reviewed by the city attorney and recommended for approval by staff. The commission did not change service levels as part of the vote.

Looking ahead: the approved contract will be administered under the city's FY26 budget. Commissioners said they will continue to monitor service levels and community feedback as the year progresses.