How Broward's relationship with Sheriff Gregory Tony unraveled
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Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony and the county are embroiled in a escalating feud. Photo: Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images
The Broward County Commission is prepared to take Sheriff Gregory Tony to court if he refuses to let officials tour his agency's new training facility amid a heated spending dispute.
Why it matters: The bitter feud highlights a power struggle between the county and its independently elected sheriff over budgetary control and oversight.
Catch up quick: The relationship has rapidly deteriorated as the sheriff has requested hefty budget increases that he says are necessary to keep salaries competitive.
- After the county didn't approve Tony's full $73 million budget increase last year, he appealed to the state for more funding.
- In response, the county accused Tony of "financial mismanagement," alleging he diverted nearly $5 million from salaries to cover "expensive branding" and other costs at the $74 million training center.
State of play: The two sides remain at odds over funding after the commission approved an $885 million budget for BSO — $50 million less than Tony requested.
- Amid the feud, the county has explored ending its contracts with BSO for fire-rescue services, the 911 system and security at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades.
Driving the news: As part of the county's new investigation into BSO's spending, Broward Mayor Mark Bogen and other commissioners tried to tour the gym at the training facility but were denied access.
- They wanted to inspect the cold plunge and sauna inside the facility to see how the agency is spending taxpayer money.
- The county plans to take legal action if he continues to block the officials from entering the county-owned building.
What they're saying: Bogen tells Axios that the relationship hit a turning point after Tony started attacking commissioners and announced what the mayor calls a "totally baseless" investigation.
- Commissioner Steve Geller says the relationship has worsened since Tony's reelection in 2024.
- "If you don't agree with him, he'll start slamming you on social media, which is not what we're used to," he tells Axios. "… If you disagree with him, you're his enemy."
The big picture: Geller says he's tried to de-escalate the situation to no avail.
- "The best response I've gotten is, 'Give us more money, and we'll stop,' and I keep repeating, 'You can't have all the money,'" he adds.
The other side: Tony has accused the commission of "participating in politics," arguing he couldn't let them into the facility because of the ongoing state criminal investigation.
- "Florida sheriffs are constitutional officers," Tony said at a Monday press conference. "We are not subject to audit by the county commission. We are not subservient to this county commission."
- He added that his budget request is based on factual data and the county has already audited "the best training facility in this state."
- In a statement to Axios, Tony said he's "tried everything is negotiate with good faith, present data and factual figures, and it has fallen on deaf ears."
What's next: Asked whether reconciliation is possible, Bogen tells Axios, "I think anything can be repaired, but it doesn't look good."