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Loxahatchee Groves council asks attorney to draft mutual termination with PBSO amid funding dispute
Summary
After weeks of talks with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Loxahatchee Groves council signaled consensus for the town attorney to draft a mutual termination agreement of the PBSO contract and ordered staff to return with options; debate centered on funding, RedSpeed revenue and who will supply crossing guards.
Councilors in the Town of Loxahatchee Groves spent much of their Dec. 16 special meeting discussing the town’s contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) and possible next steps after an impasse over funding.
Town attorney Kurtz and staff reported PBSO’s position: the problem is primarily a funding shortfall rather than performance, PBSO has put RedSpeed enforcement on hold and told the town it expects municipalities to supply school crossing guards. Kurtz said PBSO suggested the town could temporarily use RedSpeed revenues to avoid a contract breach while longer‑term funding is explored.
Several council members and residents pushed back on using one‑time RedSpeed money for ongoing personnel costs. One council member said PBSO was “using the kids as a bargaining chip” by withholding RedSpeed, and another called for the town to pursue a clean break and start negotiations over a replacement service model. A council member made a request on the record that the town attorney draw up a mutual termination agreement so the council would have a formal document to consider.
“I’ll make a motion—I’ll make a motion for the town attorney to draw up a a termination agreement that we both mutually agree to terminate the contract, and then we start fresh,” a council member stated.
The council did not vote on terminating the contract at the meeting. The town attorney asked whether there was a consensus to have him prepare a draft; after a show of hands the mayor confirmed there were at least three members in favor and that the attorney would bring back a proposed agreement for a future agenda so council could consider a formal action.
The discussion also looked at service models (a two‑zone policing concept PBSO offered to cooperate on), the town’s ability to fund crossing guards directly or contract with a vendor PBSO recommended, and the county law‑enforcement office’s use of outside counsel while it evaluates next steps. Staff and council agreed to pursue a draft termination and return with options and cost estimates at the next regular meeting or a future agenda.
