Broward County FY27 Budget Workshop and Capital Projects Discussion - June 11, 2026

The Broward County Commission held a budget workshop on June 11, 2026, to review the Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) FY27 budget request, discuss major general capital project prioritization and funding strategy, and revisit county priorities. The meeting featured presentations from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and BSO leadership, followed by extensive commission discussion.

BSO FY27 Budget Request

• OMB presented BSO's FY27 request: $937.4 million in generally funded resources (a 12.4% increase) and a total agency-wide increase of 10.9% when including law enforcement and fire rescue contracts. The request includes approximately 50 new positions (1.3% increase) and a 16.7% increase in personnel services dollars.
• BSO Under Sheriff Steve Robson described an "elephant in the room"—unresolved funding from the current fiscal year rolled into next year's request, primarily for salary increases. BSO's starting salaries are the lowest among Broward law enforcement agencies (by $4,000). Attrition: 689 voluntary separations over three years, 51% within three years of hire. BSO is asking only to reach the median market rate.
• Colonel Yadena noted that the 12.4% increase is higher because it excludes $8.4 million in utilities/facilities maintenance costs shifted to the county, plus $6.7 million for FRS pension rate changes (3.35% increase for high-risk personnel, effective May 1, 2026). He stated BSO is prioritizing salaries over capital, reducing capital outlay to $0 in FY27 request, but acknowledged that is unrealistic.

Commission Discussion on BSO Budget

• Commissioner Fisher clarified the 12.4% is really 13.4% when utilities are included, and OMB noted it would be about 14% with FRS costs. He questioned 27 new dispatch positions and the 8.5% law enforcement contract increase for cities. OMB confirmed Deerfield Beach's contract increase is 10.4%.
• Commissioner Rich expressed concern about sustainability, noting BSO already consumes 54% of general revenue dollars. He called the salary study "non-credible" because it lacked underlying data, though BSO offered a separate presentation. He urged dropping the appeal (the unresolved funding appeal with the state).
• Vice Mayor McKenzie pressed for better police presence in BMSD (unincorporated areas). Under Sheriff Robson committed to direct follow-up.
• Commissioner Geller argued that with potential property tax reform, no area, including BSO, can be held harmless. County Administrator Monica Cepero estimated a minimum of $24 million in unavoidable increases (third-year detention raises, FRS, utilities), but BSO's total request exceeds $100 million.
• Commissioner Fisher stated he would not support any increase to general core funding this year due to uncertainty.
• Commissioner Davis and others supported focusing on salary competitiveness but opposed new positions. Commissioner Udine noted the county's attrition rate is 13.2%, higher than BSO's 10.9%.
• Mayor Hardemon proposed an audit of BSO's budget for transparency.

Major General Capital Project Prioritization and Funding Strategy

• Staff presented three pay-go capital projects: Government Center East replacement (total est. $663.6M, $104.6M appropriated), Forensic Science Center ($325.9M total, $41.9M appropriated), and Emergency Operations & Communications Center (EOCC) ($375.7M total, $251.6M appropriated).
• Proposed reallocation: Move $251.6M from EOCC to Government Center East, plus $95.6M in one-time reserves to Government Center East, leaving EOCC to be bond financed (est. $25.8M/year for 30 years). Forensic Science Center also bond financed ($19.5M/year).
• Commissioners debated the Spirit Airlines building alternative. Commissioner Udine championed it, citing potential savings of $200M+ even using staff's estimates. Others (Rogers, Davis, Rich) argued the building is too rushed, location is poor, and Dania Beach is opposed. Vice Mayor McKenzie said he cannot make a responsible decision in 30 days after seven years on the Gore project. Commissioner Fisher opposed any spending before November's tax vote.
• County Administrator Cepero recommended tapping the brakes on all cash-funded capital projects until after the election, but will abide by board direction. She noted the Spirit building analysis was done in three weeks under compressed timeline; the cheapest rehab option was $414.5M.

Key Outcomes

• No formal vote on BSO budget or capital allocations; decisions deferred to future meetings.
• Commissioners broadly agreed to review BSO's salary study data in more detail.
• The unresolved BSO funding appeal remains pending before the state Administration Commission, with next possible hearing dates in September 2026. Several commissioners urged BSO to drop the appeal.
• On capital: no consensus on reallocation. The board will continue discussion at a future meeting, likely after the November election. Authority to bid on Spirit Airlines building will be voted on at the June 16 commission meeting.
• County staff directed to prepare options for using reserves (rather than project funds) for any potential Spirit acquisition.
• The third agenda item (Commissioner priorities) was postponed to a future meeting.