Broward County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to authorize county attorneys to pursue legal action to gain access to all county-owned or leased facilities, including the Broward Sheriff’s Office Research, Development and Training Center. The 7-0 vote came during an emergency meeting.
The vote does not mean a suit has been filed. Some commissioners, including Steven Geller, want one more attempt to reach a deal before going to court. Geller said he would give it no more than a day or two.
The move follows a visit the day before. Mayor Mark Bogen tried to tour the training center’s gym and wellness amenities, but a deputy at the entrance said all tours must be scheduled through the Office of the Sheriff. Bogen said he contacted the sheriff beforehand and got no reply.
Sheriff Gregory Tony called the vote another foolish decision that will cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. He also said an attack on the sheriff’s constitutional powers would prompt a unified response from all 67 sheriffs. Tony denied any improper spending and said commissioners already knew about the facility’s amenities.
The dispute is part of a larger fight over BSO’s budget of more than $870 million. A 2024 audit found the training center’s estimated cost more than doubled from its original $34 million. As of Tuesday afternoon, no date had been set for a county visit.
