Pompano Beach hires consultants to compare BSO contract with stand‑alone police option

The Pompano Beach City Commission on Tuesday approved a contract not to exceed $285,000 with Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc., partnered with the Center for Public Safety, to produce an analysis comparing the city's current Broward Sheriff's Office contract to a potential stand‑alone police department.

City procurement staff said the study will analyze staffing, operations, budget and market benchmarks and include community outreach. Mary Rivera, a city procurement staff member, told the commission the solicitation closed May 22 and the evaluation committee shortlisted and then recommended a partnership so the city would get both a financial analysis and operational expertise. "We are requesting for an award for Reftellus, which would take the lead and the partnerships for the Center for Public Safety," Rivera said.

The contract sets a tight timeline: the solicitation called for about 120 days, and staff said consultants expect to return a full deliverable in roughly 120–160 days if records requests and data from external parties proceed on schedule. Deliverables listed in the solicitation include a community needs assessment, departmental organization and operational planning, staffing and recruitment plans, and a finance/budget model with an implementation roadmap should the commission pursue change.

The decision followed more than an hour of public comment and discussion. Supporters said an up‑to‑date analysis is overdue; some residents and commissioners pressed for an implementation plan to be included so the city would not simply receive a report without concrete next steps. Vice Mayor Fournier said she was "hesitant with consulting agreements" but that she had insisted the study include an implementation plan: "If we decide to do it based on the study, this needs to include, like, you push the button and go, and it is step by step how you roll this out," she said.

Several residents questioned the price. Jocelyn Jackson asked whether the nearly $300,000 contract was necessary; Mike Skiverski suggested staff could rework earlier, cheaper studies. David Hall urged the commission to ensure costs in a new department would be fully comparable and noted pension and specialty unit costs could be substantial. "What we can't do is try to do it on the cheap," Hall said.

Other speakers described public safety priorities and neighborhood conditions. "I just can't put a monetary price on our safetiness," said Tantra King, a resident who urged a study that would lead to improved local control.

Commission members stressed the scope will include regional benchmarking and the consultants were expected to ask BSO and other agencies for records. After discussion the commission approved the award by roll call; all commissioners voting recorded aye.

The commission directed staff to negotiate the agreement and bring back a final contract consistent with the scope and not‑to‑exceed price. The city manager and procurement staff said they would work with the consultants to schedule community meetings and meet with commissioners during the study.

Why it matters: The study is intended to give the city current, locally relevant data about costs and capabilities rather than rely on older or incomplete work. Any decision to change the city's policing arrangement would have long‑term budget and service consequences and would require a separate policy vote by the commission.

What comes next: Staff said consultants expect to return a draft report within roughly 120–160 days and that the commission will have opportunities for public hearings and additional briefings before any final policy decision.