DEERFIELD BEACH, FL - Deerfield Beach commissioners approved a major public safety vehicle purchase Tuesday night as the city continues moving toward its own police and fire departments.
The City Commission voted unanimously June 16 to approve a purchase order with SAG Cocoa LLC, doing business as Cocoa Ford, for 144 vehicles for the city’s police and fire departments. The vehicle purchase is not to exceed $8,279,400.01, including wrap graphics for 108 vehicles. Commissioners also approved a Ford premium five-year maintenance plan for all 144 vehicles for up to $470,160.
The total vehicle and maintenance package is listed in city backup materials at $8,749,560.01.
Sean Gladadio, director of the Office of Public Safety, told commissioners the city used the Florida Sheriffs Association Cooperative Purchasing Program for the purchase. He said Cocoa Ford and its affiliated network have experience with large municipal fleets and would manage acquisition, specifications, production tracking, upfitting and delivery.
Gladadio said the vehicles are needed so the future police and fire departments can respond to calls, conduct investigations and handle fire and life-safety operations when the departments launch. He also said the city made a conscious effort to select hybrid-based vehicles to reduce fuel use.
Commissioner Ben Preston asked whether the city had calculated the fuel savings from the hybrid vehicles. Gladadio said the city does not yet have internal data to compare costs but would be able to track and report savings once the departments are operating their own fleet.
Commissioner Daniel Shanetzky questioned whether vehicles currently used by the Broward Sheriff’s Office for Deerfield Beach could belong to the city or be recovered. Gladadio said he believed certain vehicles purchased with Deerfield Beach taxpayer money may be city vehicles, but said the legal question would need to be handled by the city attorney.
City Attorney Andrew Maurodis said litigation involving BSO is pending and suggested that future detailed questions may need to be handled in an executive session. He later said a complaint had been filed against BSO and that the Chapter 164 process had been initiated.
Public commenters split over the vehicle purchase. Some praised the city’s preparation, while others questioned the cost, procurement process and whether the city had fully explored the possibility of using existing vehicles.
Police And Fire Transition Update
Before the vehicle vote, transitional Police Chief Daniel Mergalo and transitional Fire Chief Chantel Botting gave commissioners updates on the public safety transition.
Mergalo said the future Deerfield Beach Police Department is drawing interest from law enforcement professionals in Florida and across the country. He said the work underway includes building an executive leadership team, preparing a sustainable budget, evaluating equipment and technology, and developing accreditation-ready policies.
Botting said the fire department transition is focused on grant opportunities, regional partnerships, facility reviews and community engagement.
Commissioners also approved several public safety-related grant applications as part of the consent agenda, including a FEMA SAFER grant application for $15,822,828 over three years for fire department staffing. The item includes a city match of $9,835,812 if awarded.
The city also approved applying for $1 million in FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant funding for equipment, a fire engine and other fire safety initiatives, with a $100,000 city cost share. Another approved application seeks $1.5 million in FEMA fire prevention and safety grant funding, with a $75,000 city match.
Deer Creek Townhomes Approved
Commissioners also unanimously approved three related items for a 43-unit townhome project at 3116 Deer Creek Country Club Boulevard.
The approvals included rezoning about 4.43 acres from Business, Community (B-1) to Residence, Multi-Family (RM-15), a plat note amendment and a major site plan approval. The applicant, represented by Miskel Backman on behalf of K. Hovnanian, proposed 43 two-story townhomes across five buildings.
The applicant’s representative told commissioners the project would be below the maximum density allowed under RM-15 zoning and would include gated access, emergency access, on-site drainage, landscape buffers and architectural relief on all sides of the buildings.
Several residents raised concerns about tree loss and the broader pace of development. Others said residential development would likely create less traffic than a commercial use allowed under the prior zoning.
The applicant’s representative said an arborist reviewed the site, that some mature trees would be preserved, and that mitigation would be provided where required. She also said the units would be sold fee simple, not operated as rentals.
Commissioner Tom Plaut, whose district includes the site, supported the project and said he believed changing the property from commercial to residential would reduce potential traffic.
Budget Amendment And Clean Audit
Commissioners accepted the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025, after the city’s outside auditor reported a clean, unmodified opinion with no reported findings.
The commission also approved the first reading of a budget amendment for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2026. The amendment includes recognizing PFAS settlement proceeds, increasing General Fund reserves by $1,370,763, transferring $400,000 for the Tedder Park Improvement Project, funding eight public safety transition positions through realigned Office of Public Safety funds, adding $173,437 for the Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex security system and allocating $1 million for the city’s Flood Barrier Rebate Program.
A second reading and public hearing on the budget amendment is scheduled for July 7, according to the agenda.
Charter Workshops Scheduled
The meeting also drew several public comments about possible city charter amendments, especially recommendations involving Article 11 and beach-area development limits.
Residents urged commissioners not to weaken charter protections tied to building height, density, floor area ratio and beach development. Several speakers raised concerns about traffic, evacuation routes, parking, sunlight, public beach access and the character of the barrier island. One speaker supported giving voters a chance to consider responsible charter changes.
Mayor Todd Drosky said the June 16 charter item was intended to set a process, not debate the substance of the recommendations. Commissioners agreed to hold charter workshops July 2 and July 6.
Under the proposed schedule discussed at the meeting, the July 2 workshop would include election timing and city manager residency requirements, along with several less controversial recommendations. The July 6 workshop would focus on Article 11 and property distribution issues. A special meeting for first reading is planned for July 21, followed by second reading Aug. 4 so any approved ballot language can be sent to the Supervisor of Elections for the November ballot.
The city’s next regular commission meeting is scheduled for July 7. A budget workshop is scheduled for June 30 at 6 p.m. at the Hillsboro Technology Center.
Police services, fire rescue, emergency response, public safety funding, and staffing decisions are part of Boca Post’s Deerfield Beach Government coverage.
