Deerfield Beach unveils FY2027 balanced budget, outlines plan to stand up municipal police and fire departments

City Manager Rodney Brimlo presented the Deerfield Beach City Commission with a proposed fiscal year 2027 budget at a June 30 workshop, describing it as “a balanced budget that city staff has worked tirelessly on” while warning that any new spending must be offset by cuts elsewhere or new revenues.

The proposal recommends a $40.2 million increase in total recommended spending for FY2027, with a general fund proposed budget of $212.8 million. Staff said major drivers include cost‑of‑living and merit adjustments, higher medical insurance costs, an increased Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) bill, and initial operating costs tied to establishing local police and fire services.

“Part one will be this general overview and a budget update,” Brimlo told the commission, noting the workshop is intended to solicit direction before formal hearings. He said the package is “fluid” and will be refined through August and into the September public hearings.

Public safety formed the most detailed part of the presentation. Transitional Police Chief Daniel Morgal outlined a municipal policing model that emphasizes increased patrol visibility and a mix of sworn officers and civilian public‑service aides. “We will be equipping sworn personnel with the essential tools, protective equipment, communications technology, and accountability systems necessary to support safe, effective, and professional law enforcement operations,” Morgal said, and listed vehicles, radios, laptops, body‑worn and in‑car cameras, body armor and conducted energy weapons among immediate capital needs.

Morgal said the department intends to staff dedicated patrol coverage east of the Intracoastal on a 24‑hour basis, with surge capacity for events or unusual demands. He also said civilian public‑service aides would handle lower‑complexity reports—VIN checks, minor crash reports and similar tasks—so sworn officers can remain on patrol.

Transitional Fire Chief Shantel Banging described a proposed fire‑rescue organization using a 24‑hour on/72‑hour off schedule favored in South Florida. “Our goal is to build a professional, efficient, and community‑focused department that will provide exceptional service to our residents, businesses and visitors,” she said, and listed breathing apparatus, personal protective equipment, communications gear and medical/rescue equipment as budgeted essentials.

Commissioners pressed staff on staffing counts, pay and the fiscal effect of moving away from the current BSO contract. Several commissioners asked why BSO costs on the slides rose substantially even as the city prepares to assume local control. Staff responded that the figures shown reflect what BSO has submitted as current billing projections and that changes in the Florida Retirement System rates and final county valuations will alter totals as numbers are finalized. The CFO also said staff had used median neighboring jurisdictions’ salaries as budgeting targets rather than minimum pay steps to avoid recruiting salary reductions for lateral hires.

The city is keeping its proposed operating millage rate for FY2027 at 6.0018 mills, staff said. Key procedural dates include a July 7 commission meeting for preliminary resolutions on fire‑rescue and stormwater assessments, followed by two public hearings in September and final adoption later that month.

Next steps: staff will return with updated revenue and BSO numbers, the commission will review preliminary resolutions on July 7, and the budget returns for public hearings in September before final adoption.