City Update on the Upcoming October 13 Discussion Focusing on Optimist Club Financial Compliance
Youth sports are here to stay in Cooper City. Changing how programs are financially administered does not mean eliminating the programs themselves.
At its August 11 meeting, the City Commission unanimously approved a conditional termination notice while expressing its preference to preserve the Optimist Club’s role in youth sports, provided appropriate financial safeguards were implemented. The October 13 Commission discussion will address the Club’s response to the outstanding financial requirements and next steps under the Facility Use Agreement.
The City’s top priority is to maintain youth sports programs uninterrupted while ensuring that registration fees, sponsorships, fundraising proceeds, and other program funds are managed with transparency, accountability, and appropriate financial controls.
Why did the City require an independent financial review?
The Cooper City Optimist Club runs youth sports programs on City-owned facilities under a Facility Use Agreement (FUA), which outlines the financial, administrative, and operational responsibilities for using those facilities.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office investigated allegations involving a former Club president that raised concerns about the handling of funds. Those allegations included renting a City-owned soccer field without authorization, depositing donations into a personal account, and requesting reimbursement for expenses already covered by donations. The allegations led to the arrest of the former Club president, and the case is now moving through the court process.
Concerns regarding concession revenue and overall fund management prompted the City to commission an independent forensic review by Winks Ledgers, LLC. The review examined financial and operational activities from January 1, 2022, through September 30, 2025.
The report identified 52 findings involving financial oversight, cash handling, purchasing, supporting documentation, governance, and reporting. After the report, the City Manager identified 21 recommendations requiring immediate attention because of their financial, operational, and governance significance. These became the City’s high-priority compliance requirements.
Financial controls establish how funds are collected, recorded, approved, spent, and reviewed. A control deficiency must be corrected, even when no theft or misconduct has occurred.
What happens if the Facility Use Agreement is terminated?
If the agreement is ultimately terminated, the City’s Parks and Recreation team will oversee the transition to ensure youth sports programs continue without interruption. Based on the language within the FUA, the Optimist would continue running sports that are in progress of a season. The City would continue working with the dedicated volunteers and coaches who support our young athletes while assessing the best path forward, including whether programs continue under the Parks and Recreation Department to manage.
The City is not negotiating with any sports-affiliated organization or private sports operator.
The City’s approach to financial administration is guided by one principle: allow volunteers to focus on coaching and mentoring while the City provides the financial structure, oversight, and accountability needed to protect the long-term success of youth sports programs and maintain the community’s trust.
What happens to the fields at Fardelmann Sports Complex?
There are no changes coming to the fields at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex. The City recently approved a plan for a new fire station and emergency operations center that uses the same footprint as the existing fire station. The project will have no impact on any fields at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex.
Claims that the City plans to tear down or modify the sports complex in connection with that project are inaccurate.
Is the City planning to increase youth sports registration fees?
No discussions have taken place about increasing registration fees as part of the Optimist Club compliance review. Claims that the City has approved substantial registration fee increases are not supported by a City proposal or decision. Maintaining affordable, accessible, high-quality youth sports remains a priority.
Is the City trying to make money from youth sports?
No. The purpose of the City’s compliance review is financial transparency and accountability, not generating revenue. The City seeks to ensure registration fees, sponsorships, fundraising proceeds, and other program funds are properly documented, responsibly managed, and used for their intended youth sports purposes.
Additionally, the City Commission is committed to ensuring that taxpayer-funded fields and facilities continue to serve Cooper City’s youth as intended. These community assets are supported by hardworking residents, and the Commission remains focused on sustaining programs that benefit the children of our community.
What has the City done to support compliance?
The current compliance discussion follows nearly two years of workshops, Commission meetings, staff reviews, and engagement with Optimist representatives.
The City Commission has repeatedly offered assistance to help the Optimist meet its obligations. The offering of assistance has included:
Staff expertise concerning financial procedures and documentation.
Assistance identifying qualified financial professionals and a Treasurer.
Meetings with Club representatives to review outstanding requirements.
Discussion of professional financial oversight and support.
After the City presented the independent report in May 2026, it discussed corrective actions and implementation milestones. When high-priority requirements remained unresolved, the Commission voted unanimously on August 11, 2026, to issue a conditional termination notice under the Facility Use Agreement.
The Commission also directed the City Manager to continue assisting the Club during the compliance period. The 60-day notice period runs until October 12, 2026.
The notice was tied to implementation of the required financial recommendations. The Commission’s action followed repeated opportunities to address the concerns and demonstrate that financial safeguards were operating consistently.
What remains outstanding?
A September 30 staff memorandum documents the compliance review completed on September 25, 2026.
Ten items remained incomplete or required additional supporting documentation. Staff concluded that the Optimist Club had not met the required timeline for implementing the high-priority financial recommendations.
Completed items included providing Board minutes, approving fee-waiver and discount policies, establishing sponsorship pricing, transferring school custodian payments to City payroll, and establishing additional oversight of expenses. The Club also appointed a Treasurer and bookkeeper.
Remaining requirements involved:
Issuing outstanding 2025 IRS Forms 1099 and completing related vendor records, in accordance with Federal Law.
Establishing payment accounts and banking fraud protections.
Implementing cash-collection procedures consistently.
Documenting correction of deficiencies identified during Board financial reviews.
Maintaining supporting records for sponsorship receipts, payments, and payroll.
Using approved disbursement forms consistently.
Providing purchasing and bid documentation that supports the purchases made.
Adopting a policy or creating a form does not, by itself, demonstrate full implementation. The compliance review examines whether procedures are being followed and whether records support the transactions.
October 13 Commission discussion
Item 12, “Optimist Club Compliance,” is scheduled for the Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Regular City Commission Meeting at City Hall, 9090 SW 50 Place.
The discussion will address the Club’s response to the Commission’s direction, the outstanding financial requirements, and next steps under the Facility Use Agreement.
The City will provide updates on Commission direction and any resulting changes to program administration. Maintaining youth sports opportunities and establishing accountable financial operations remain the City’s priorities.
Supporting documents