Loxahatchee Groves council approves compromise on PBSO premium contract, directs savings to contingency

Loxahatchee Groves 'At a special meeting called by the mayor, the Town of Loxahatchee Groves council voted 5-0 to approve a multi-point compromise aimed at ending its premium services contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO).

Town Attorney Kurtz told the council lawyers for PBSO (represented by Meredith Plummer of Gunster) said they were "not interested in a mutual termination agreement" but indicated the sheriff's office would accept a termination in accordance with the contract's notice provisions and would not challenge the town's ability to operate without a local police force if the town followed the contract terms. "They seem to be agreeable to a level of credit if we resume payments on the contract for the time period in which services have not been rendered," Kurtz said during his update.

Vice Mayor Herzog, who introduced the motion, described it as "a compromise" and listed ten points including: resuming payments for February through September, providing contract notice so services end Oct. 1, securing PBSO agreement not to challenge the town's authority to operate without a local force, PBSO forgoing attempts to collect two months of service not provided, and that any savings from the two months be set aside in a contingency account or applied to solid-waste rate stabilization. Herzog said the aim was to avoid costly litigation while protecting the town's options going forward.

Council members disputed how to use the two months' savings: some argued for putting the money toward capital needs such as culverts and maintenance to match forthcoming grant obligations, while Herzog and other supporters preferred a resident rebate as a tangible compromise. After extended discussion the council amended the motion to place the two-month savings into a council-controlled contingency account that would require a future council vote to spend.

A resident, identified in the record as Valerie, urged the council to prioritize public safety and warned of reputational and property-value risks if the town appeared unable to pay for policing.

The final motion, seconded by Council member Coleman, passed unanimously with five yes votes (Coleman, El Ramey, McClendon, Vice Mayor Herzog and Mayor Payne). The council recorded the vote as 5-0 and directed staff to implement the contingency accounting treatment, continue negotiations on a long-term arrangement that would take effect after Oct. 1, and ensure any formal agreements are signed before resuming certain payments.

Next steps: staff will place the two months' savings into the designated contingency account and return to council with any necessary budget or appropriation actions; the town attorney and manager will continue contract negotiations and document the agreed credits and termination timeline.

(Reporting note: statements and quotes come from the council meeting transcript and speakers identified in the public record.)