Overview
- County commissioners voted unanimously to authorize county attorneys to seek legal access to county-owned or leased BSO facilities after they were denied entry to the sheriff’s training center.
- The commission directed the county auditor to investigate how Sheriff Gregory Tony is spending the roughly $850–$870 million Broward Sheriff’s Office budget after Tony suspended budget negotiations.
- Mayor Mark Bogen and other commissioners were turned away when they tried to inspect the fourth-floor gym and spa at the BSO Research, Development and Training Center, which previous audits described as including cold plunges and a sauna.
- Sheriff Tony publicly defended the expenditures, said BSO “keeps every receipt,” and cited an ongoing statewide criminal probe as the reason he restricted tours and access to parts of the facility.
- The dispute is already producing real consequences as the commission removed BSO Fire Rescue, several cities are reassessing contracts, and county leaders are considering reclaiming security roles for the airport, seaport, jail and 911 services.