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Police say evidence storage is urgent; council debates bonding and priorities
Summary
Tampa police described current evidence storage as inadequate and requested a new facility; council members split on whether to bond $40 million now or pursue smaller, staged spending and use alternative funding sources such as the forthcoming Community Investment Tax (CIT) renewal.
Tampa Police Department leaders told the council that existing evidence storage is inadequate and that a new, modern evidence facility is needed. Chief Lee Birkoff told the council the department ‘‘needs this’’ and described the current condition as a “must” rather than a discretionary upgrade. Council members expressed concern about issuing additional bonded debt given the city’s overall borrowing plans and asked the department to show what could be achieved with smaller, staged funding.
Chief Birkoff said the police department cannot safely continue on its current evidence storage path and urged council to treat the project as urgent. He described the Seventh Floor evidence rooms at the department’s headquarters as “inadequate” and said the department would present a full scope and cost picture at the coming meetings.
Several council members suggested alternatives or staged approaches. Councilmember Lisa Hertek asked the department to present what could be accomplished for $20 million so the council could consider a smaller initial financing tranche. Councilmember Mike Maniscalco suggested the city consider using the Community Investment Tax (CIT) renewal revenue, once scheduled to begin collection in December 2026, to reduce the portion financed by bonds; staff noted the CIT version 2 funds had not yet been appropriated and would require council prioritization.
Council members also raised the possibility of combining evidence facility needs with any broader future policing headquarters decisions to save costs, a point Chief Birkoff acknowledged will require further study. The council and the police chief agreed to continue the discussion at the next budget hearings and for staff to present options showing (a) a smaller initial scope at an assumed $20 million level, (b) the full scope and cost estimate the department prefers, and (c) financing scenarios that compare bonding with pay‑go approaches using new revenue sources.
No formal vote or appropriation occurred in the workshop; council members directed staff and the Police Department to return with the requested options ahead of the public hearings.
