Concerned that the cost of police services might go up by double digits, Briny Breezes officials told Police Chief Scott McClure to politely ask his Ocean Ridge bosses if they would temper a proposed contract renewal.
“No push, you know, respectful. Be kind to us,” Town Manager Bill Thrasher said.
Ocean Ridge has policed Briny Breezes since 2019, with the cost going up 3% per year to a proposed $214,928 starting in October.
But this time, Ocean Ridge wanted the payment to rise in following years by the greater of 3% “or the May All Urban Consumer Price Index CPI for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale Region.”
That May CPI figure brushed 10% in 2022 and was more than 3% in 2023 and 2024. Officials don’t know where it might land in future years.
“I’m wondering if we could possibly get a letter signed by the mayor respectfully sent to the Ocean Ridge council asking if we could just stay at the 3% rate. Is that a possibility?” Town Council President Liz Loper said.
Thrasher and others said the CPI wording also appears in the 10-year contract the town signed with Boynton Beach for fire and rescue service.
“It’s kind of standard rate increases in contracts,” Mayor Ted Gross said.
In the end the council designated McClure its ambassador on the matter.
— Steve Plunkett
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