Subject:
Title
Annual agreement with Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services by Environmental Lands Unit Deputies.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the annual agreement with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) for law enforcement services by the Environmental Lands Unit from October 1, 2025, through October 1, 2026.
• Contract provides for two assigned Environmental Land Unit (ELU) deputies to patrol County preserves and parks at a cost of $397,430.00 per year including personnel, vehicle, operating and training expenses.
• ELU deputies are critical to deter poaching of wildlife and cultural artifacts from county environmental lands and assist park rangers upon reports of suspicious activities.
• This partnership with PCSO has existed since Fiscal Year (FY) 2001.
• Annual costs for the law enforcement services are appropriated in the PCSO budget within the General Fund.) The Utilities Department contributes 23.0% ($91,408.90) for its portion of the Brooker Creek Preserve land.
• This expense is included in the FY26 Proposed Budget for the Sheriff’s Office (General Fund) and the Utilities Department (Water Revenue and Operating Fund).
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Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.2 Preserve and manage environmental lands, beaches, parks and historical assets
Summary:
Summary
The proposed contract provides law enforcement services at environmentally sensitive lands, preserves and waterways, including but not limited to Brooker Creek and Weedon Island Preserves, and the waters in and around Fort De Soto Park and Shell Key Island, which encompass over 15,940 acres. The contract period is October 1, 2025 through October 1, 2026 unless extended, terminated or modified by both parties.
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Background Information:
Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2001, the first year of the Environmental Lands Unit contract with the County, PCSO deputies have provided excellent security at the preserves, have shown sincere interest and have helped build community support. They have greatly diminished the trespassing, illegal dumping and poaching activity on County park and preserve properties and work very effectively with Parks and Conservation Resources (PCR) staff.
Fiscal Impact:
This annual contract is an FY26 expenditure of $397,430.00 (an increase of 2.6% from FY25 ($387,230.00). This expenditure is not part of the Parks and Conservation Resources (PCR) budget but is included in the yearly appropriations to the Pinellas County Sheriff Office (PCSO) as part of the budget process. The expense is included in the FY26 Proposed Budget for the Sheriff’s Office ($306,021.10 net total within the General Fund) and the Utilities Department ($91,408.90 within the Water Revenue and Operating Fund).
Staff Member Responsible:
Paul Cozzie, Director, Parks and Conservation Resources
Partners:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Pinellas County Utilities
Attachments:
FY26 Contract for Law Enforcement Services Environmental Lands Unit (PDF)
FY26 Contract for Law Enforcement Services Environmental Lands Unit (Word)
FY26 Environmental Lands Unit Law Enforcement Services Cost Worksheet