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Council rejects immediate resumption of sheriff contract; orders data review and pays December invoice
Summary
After heated public comment and a split council debate, the Town of Loxahatchee Groves declined to rescind its termination of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s contract but voted to pay roughly $29,000 for December services and directed a Finance Advisory/Audit Committee review and a joint Attorney General question with PBSO on legal authority and obligations.
The Town of Loxahatchee Groves Town Council on April 21 debated whether to rescind its March termination of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) contract and resume law-enforcement services under the prior agreement. Council members split over public-safety priorities and long-term financial risks, and the motion to approve resumption and rescind the termination (Resolution 2026-34) failed 2-3.
Vice Mayor Sud framed the choice in stark terms: “We either have help nearby where seconds matter or we wait,” and urged colleagues to resume services while negotiating changes. Opponents warned the town could be locked into the contract if state-level property tax reforms reduce municipal revenue or if continued traffic-camera revenue declines, creating budget risk.
The council voted 5-0 to pay the outstanding December invoice (about $29,000) from contingency funds to settle the period when PBSO had provided services. Council then directed staff to have the Finance Advisory and Audit Committee (FAAC) analyze the town and PBSO operational data — including calls, traffic stops and crashes — and asked the town attorney to coordinate with PBSO counsel to prepare a narrowly framed legal question for the Florida Attorney General on whether local charter or state law requires a municipality to maintain contracted law-enforcement services. The council also scheduled follow-up steps: short, one-on-one interviews with three outside counsel candidates and a return meeting to finalize special‑counsel selection.
The debate drew strong public comment on both sides. Residents who favor resumption said dedicated PBSO deputies provided faster, more visible response and traffic enforcement; others urged fiscal caution and recommended a slower, evidence-based approach. Council members emphasized the need for more complete data before making a long-term commitment.
Next steps: staff will provide the FAAC with the PBSO operational data and timeline; the town attorney will work with PBSO counsel on an AG question; councilors will hold brief interviews with outside counsel candidates and reconvene to decide counsel and any contract moves.
