Margate Weighs Potential Cost Savings of BSO Takeover

by David Volz May 21, 2024

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Margate Commission Weighs BSO Takeover: Potential Cost Savings Versus Community Concerns

Margate City Commission.

The Margate Commission may consider a presentation by the Broward Sheriff’s Office on the possibility of the BSO taking over law enforcement and the fire department.

During the May 15 meeting, Commissioner Antonio Arserio asked the commission to obtain a price from the BSO to provide police and fire services to Margate.

According to the City of Margate Budget for fiscal year 2024, the city spent $25,782,268 on police services and $16,410,680 on fire services.

According to Arserio, the city and the police union are negotiating a contract, and the union wants a substantial pay increase. He believes Margate might get a better financial deal from BSO and would not have to worry about pensions and other costs. Arserio said he has spoken to police officers who don’t think going with the BSO would be wrong.

“I think we need to get pricing. I don’t think this topic will go away,” said Arserio.

Mayor Tommy Ruzzano agreed the city should get a price from the BSO. He said the union is asking for a lot of money in the negotiations. Ruzzano believes now would be a good time to ask for a presentation from the BSO to see what they could offer Margate. He also said that cities that contract with BSO re-sign their contracts.

Vice Mayor Arlene Schwartz is vehemently opposed to going with BSO. She said it would be a bad idea for Margate to give up its police department and that residents could get to know the officers available to help them with the current department.

She believes the Margate officers know the city well, whereas BSO deputies might be unfamiliar with the city. She said a city must provide police, fire, water, and sewer services. “I won’t up my police department to the county when they have issues.”

Commissioner Joanne Simone said there are better times to consider going with BSO because the current sheriff is facing an election, and it is unknown who the sheriff might be after the election.

Margate Officer Antonio Coreccia said the commission should not consider going with BSO. He believes that a hometown police department can provide better service because the officers know the residents are readily available to help with even minor problems residents might have. “Margate is the best place I have ever worked in my life. I have worked here for 34 years and go to work with a smile. We have a wonderful police department,” he said.

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David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.