Manager explains police contract billing and procurement rules; council urged to review all contracts

At the April 7 Miami Lakes budget workshop the town manager explained how police service costs are calculated under the town’s contract with county law enforcement and described the town’s procurement practices.

The manager said the town pays the actual hourly rates for deputies assigned to Miami Lakes, and the county adds an administrative percentage to allocate costs for support divisions such as training and internal affairs. “What we do is we pay for the actuals of what the police department charges,” the manager said, explaining that the town’s share represents its proportionate allocation of countywide costs.

Council members asked whether contract terms lock the town into rates through 2029; the manager said the contract’s renewal and procurement cycle limits immediate renegotiation and described the town’s competitive-bid approach. He said most town contracts are secured for three years with two one-year renewals at the town’s discretion and that standard procurement rules apply for renewals and new contracts.

Councilman Sanchez referenced a resolution he sponsored to require staff to issue procurement solicitations when renewal rates exceed a specified threshold (the phrase in the transcript was “3 1%”), signaling the council’s interest in ensuring periodic competition on contracts. Staff reiterated that procurement and contract negotiation are handled through the town’s procurement process rather than during the budget workshop.

No formal procurement action or contract award was taken at the workshop; staff said they will follow procurement ordinance procedures when contract renewals arise and present options to council in the normal process.

Ending: The topic was treated as informational; staff will continue standard procurement practice and bring contract renewal items through the procurement process and future council meetings if competitive solicitation is required.