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Mulberry approves three‑year policing agreement with Polk County Sheriff, cites fuel and extraordinary cost clauses
Summary
The Mulberry City Commission approved a three‑year interlocal agreement with the Polk County Sheriff —or municipal law enforcement that covers 11 deputies and a FY2026–27 cost quoted at $1,431,743; the contract allows annual increases up to 5% and an "extraordinary increases" negotiation clause and a fuel adjustment tied to average gas price.
The Mulberry City Commission voted by voice to approve a three‑year interlocal agreement with the Polk County Sheriff —or municipal law enforcement services. City legal staff summarized the contract as providing 11 deputies (including a sergeant), with the fiscal‑year 2026–27 cost quoted at $1,431,743 and a three‑year term through fiscal year 2028–29.
City Attorney explained key budget mechanics behind the recommendation, including (1) an annual price increase allowance up to 5% and (2) a negotiated "extraordinary increases" clause that permits the sheriff to propose cost increases beyond the cap if they are "directly attributable to and demonstrably caused by unforeseen circumstances" such as changes in statutory fees or personnel costs. The attorney also warned that a gasoline adjustment clause could raise the city's law‑enforcement budget when the average fuel price exceeds $4 per gallon.
Commissioner Barsotti moved to accept the agreement; a second was recorded and the commission approved the contract by voice vote. The motion passed without a recorded roll‑call tally in the transcript. The commission directed management to proceed with execution of the agreement and to be mindful of the fuel adjustment and future negotiation points during budget cycles.
Why it matters: policing contracts are a significant recurring budget item and include built‑in escalation mechanisms. The extraordinary‑increase clause requires documentation from the sheriff and opens negotiations between city management and sheriff leadership, and the fuel‑adjustment clause can create year‑to‑year budget variability.
What comes next: management will implement the contract and monitor any proposed extraordinary adjustments; if the sheriff proposes such an adjustment and the parties cannot agree, the city retains termination rights before the proposed effective period, per the contract language explained by the city's attorney.
