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Cooper City commissioners debate holding funds sent for Broward Sheriff raises pending clarification
Summary
Commissioners discussed remittance of amounts intended to fund Broward Sheriff deputies’ raises after reports that the full increase was not distributed by the county/BSO; city attorney said withholding or negotiating are legally available but carry contract risk; city staff to negotiate and revisit in January.
Commissioner Mallozzi raised a concern that Cooper City has been remitting an additional monthly amount (roughly $193,000 citywide allocation pro rata across participating municipalities) intended for Broward Sheriff Office (BSO) raises, but the county/BSO had not yet distributed the raises to local deputies. She argued the city is losing interest earnings on the remitted funds and proposed holding the money in a city-controlled account until the county/BSO confirms distribution or a final allocation is agreed.
City management and the city attorney outlined options: (1) negotiate with BSO and Broward County to secure documentation and timelines while retaining funds; (2) reduce or withhold remittances against contract terms, which could trigger contract remedies by the sheriff’s office. Legal counsel confirmed both approaches are legally available but warned of potential contract enforcement actions if the city unilaterally stops payments. Commissioners directed the manager and attorney to pursue immediate outreach and negotiation with the sheriff’s office and county, and agreed to revisit the payment schedule in January if a satisfactory resolution is not reached.
Commissioners emphasized protecting deputies’ intended raises while also safeguarding municipal funds and interest revenues; the city manager said staff will seek clarification from BSO finance and Broward County finance and report back to the commission.
