01/27/2022
As Navarre considers becoming a municipality, there are many decisions to make as to the level of services offered. A city starts out on a shoestring, and in keeping the tax burden as low as possible, we must consider is a service necessary? If so, what is the most fiscally responsible option?
One need right out of the gate will be law enforcement. Public safety is of the utmost importance, and a new city in Florida has two options, so let's look at both.
Police Department
One option is to form a new police department. Some in Navarre propose that this is a necessity. But at what costs?
The Association of Police Chiefs provides some data on this subject, including a per resident cost for startup and continued operation, depending on the level of service provided. Per the 2020 census, Navarre has a population of 44,876. Let's look at the estimates.
Startup costs at year one would range between 8 to 12 million.
This does not include a facility, operating costs, supplies, and vehicles
An annual operating budget would be between 4 and 6.5 million.
A new police officer will cost $200,000 over their first three years.
It costs $50,000 to equip an officer, and $50,000 per squad car.
Those are some extreme numbers for a new city and bonding alone will not cover these initial costs - it will require some heavy tax revenue. So, let's look at the other option.
Contract with the SRSO
As the resident of a new city, we are still responsible for paying our property tax. As the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's office comprises almost 30% of the county budget, we are already paying for law enforcement. In an initial conversation with Sheriff Johnson, a contract between a new city and the SRSO would be more about mutual expectations instead of costs, since its already being provided. The actual costs would be reimbursing the SRSO for training and other expenses related to patrol officers working in a dual jurisdiction. We are talking fractions of pennies on the dollar compared to a new police force.
As a local example, Destin was incorporated in 1985. To this day they still contract law enforcement with the Okaloosa Sheriff's Department. It just makes sense.
What does not make sense is a new city creating redundant departments for services we are already receiving - not just law enforcement but fire service and utilities. The increased tax burden on our residents to fund these, especially as startups, would just not constitute fiscal prudence.
For this reason, Navarre Area United advocates contracting law enforcement services with the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office. It's really the only option that makes sense.
