Board approves agreement with sheriff for off‑duty officers at spring training and Ag Expo; commissioners ask staff to seek Tourist Development funding

The Lee County Board of County Commissioners approved an agreement Oct. 21 with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to provide off‑duty officers for spring training games and the Southwest Florida Ag Expo. The board recorded that off‑duty details are used year‑round for traffic control and security; the agreement’s total expected cost was described as not to exceed $400,000 and was said to be included in the budget.

Commissioner discussion focused on whether portions of the agreement tied to spring training — an event that serves tourists — could be funded partly with Tourist Development (TD) taxes. The county attorney advised the board staff would examine statutory limits and work with the county’s CFO to propose a funding ratio if the board desired. Commissioners voted to approve the agreement while directing staff to look for allowable TD funding to offset county costs and report back.

One commissioner asked staff to verify whether Major League teams historically covered traffic control costs for their games, noting the Red Sox had historically paid for security on game days under their agreements. Staff said that game‑day coverage often falls under team contract obligations, but non‑game day events and some staffing needs become county expenses; staff agreed to review past practice and funding sources and to return with a recommendation.

The motion to approve the agreement and the direction to pursue TD funding passed with no recorded objection.