Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Norman Foster
Department: Office of Management and Budget
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution No. 2021-468 transferring funds within the Law Enforcement Trust Fund for the Broward’s Sheriff Office in the amount of $511,200 to fund operational and administrative costs of the Organized Crime Activities Sections Task Force.
ACTION: (T-10:25 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Holness voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Sharief was not present.
ACTION: (T-12:11 PM) Commissioner Sharief requested being shown voting in the affirmative.
VOTE: 9-0.
B. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution No. 2021-469 transferring funds within the Law Enforcement Trust Fund for the Broward’s Sheriff Office in the amount of $50,058 to fund operational and administrative costs of the Broward County Drug Task Force.
ACTION: (T-10:25 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Holness voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Sharief was not present.
ACTION: (T-12:11 PM) Commissioner Sharief requested being shown voting in the affirmative.
VOTE: 9-0.
C. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution No. 2021-470 transferring funds within the Law Enforcement Trust Fund for the Broward’s Sheriff Office in the amount of $143,492 for the Narcotics Detection Dog Program.
ACTION: (T-10:25 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Holness voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Sharief was not present.
ACTION: (T-12:11 PM) Commissioner Sharief requested being shown voting in the affirmative.
VOTE: 9-0.
D. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution No. 2021-471 transferring funds within the Law Enforcement Trust Fund for the Broward’s Sheriff Office in the amount of $173,420 to fund the operational and administrative costs of the Money Laundering Task Force.
ACTION: (T-10:25 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Holness voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Sharief was not present.
ACTION: (T-12:11 PM) Commissioner Sharief requested being shown voting in the affirmative.
VOTE: 9-0.
E. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution No. 2021-472 transferring funds within the Law Enforcement Trust Fund for the Broward’s Sheriff Office in the amount of $200,755 to fund operational and administrative costs of the Narcotics Interdiction Task Force.
ACTION: (T-10:25 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Holness voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Sharief was not present.
ACTION: (T-12:11 PM) Commissioner Sharief requested being shown voting in the affirmative.
VOTE: 9-0.
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Why Action is Necessary
Florida Statutes s. 932.7055(5)(a) requires that proceeds from the disposition of liens and forfeited property obtained from criminal procedure and corrections be deposited in a special law enforcement trust fund to be used for law enforcement purposes. Recommendation of the Sheriff and approval by the Board are necessary to appropriate LETF funds.
What Action Accomplishes
A. Provides LETF funding in the amount of $511,200 to support the Organized Crime Activities Sections Task Force.
B. Provides LETF funding in the amount of $50,058 to support the Broward County Drug Task Force.
C. Provides LETF funding in the amount of $143,492 to support the Narcotics Detection Dog Program.
D. Provides LETF funding in the amount of $173,420 to support the Money Laundering Task Force.
E. Provides LETF funding in the amount of $200,755 to support the Narcotics Interdiction Task Force.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
A. The Broward Sheriff’s Office administers the Organized Crime Activities Section Task Force account for the members of the Task Force. This agreement has been in place as a result of the MOU, which BSO is an active member along with other cities that participate. The Task Force MOU stipulates that 20% of the assets seized is returned to the Task Force to cover operational and administrative costs. The Organized Crime Activities Sections Task Force investigates traditional and non-traditional organized crime groups operating in the South Florida area. Any illegitimate proceeds or assets gained by these organizations through criminal activity will be targeted for seizure by the Task Force.
B. The Broward Sheriff’s Office supports this LETF request for the operations of the Broward County Drug Task Force. The Broward Sheriff’s Office administers the Broward County Drug Task Force account for the members of the Task Force. This arrangement has been in place as a result of the Task Force MOU. The Task Force MOU stipulates that 20% of the assets seized is returned to the Task Force to cover operational and administrative costs. The Task Force works criminal cases and drug trafficking organizations in the South Florida area. The Task Force targets criminal organizations committing illegal acts, makes arrests, and seizes assets associated with their criminal activity.
C. The Broward Sheriff’s Office supports this LETF request for the Narcotics Detection Dog Program. The Narcotics Detection Dog Program responsibilities are to assist the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Detention, local municipalities, state, and federal agencies that involve narcotics, currency, and firearms investigation within Broward County. This program will continue to assist law enforcement with establishing probable cause and locating evidence that may be concealed, which is necessary for the successful prosecution of an arrest or investigation.
D. The Broward Sheriff’s Office supports this LETF request for the operations of the Money Laundering Task Force (MLTF). The Broward Sheriff’s Office administers the MLTF account for the members of the Task Force. This arrangement has been in place as a result of the Task Force MOU. The Task Force MOU stipulates that 20% of the assets seized is returned to the Task Force to cover operational and administrative costs. The Task Force focuses on identifying targets for prosecution, individuals and/or criminal organizations involved in money laundering and committing illegal acts, and makes arrests and seizes assets associated with this criminal activity.
E. The Broward Sheriff’s Office administers the Narcotics Interdiction Task Force accounts for the members of the Task Force. This arrangement has been in place as a result of the Task Force Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Task Force MOU stipulates that 20% of the assets seized is returned to the Task Force to cover operational and administrative costs. Because this is a tenured Task Force, there are many seizures, both state and federal, that are pending forfeiture. The Task Force targets criminal organizations committing illegal acts and makes arrests and seizes assets associated with their criminal activity.
Source of Additional Information
Colonel James Reyes, BSO Department of Administration, (954) 831-8180
Norman Foster, Director, Office of Management and Budget, (954) 357-6346
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Funds are available within the Law Enforcement Trust Fund for these actions. According to BSO, the current balance of the LETF, as of September 10, 2021, is $4,324,224 in the local account ($3,035,514 of which is unrestricted) and $4,961,413 in the federal account ($3,127,797 of which is unrestricted). These actions will utilize $856,991 in restricted local funds, $78,442 in restricted federal funds, and $143,492 in unrestricted federal funds.