Loxahatchee Groves council advances solid-waste ordinance, narrows livestock-waste container rules and opens door to nonexclusive manure-hauler franchises

The Town of Loxahatchee Groves Council voted 5-0 on first reading to approve Ordinance No. 2025-02, an update to the town's solid-waste code that clarifies how livestock waste and other special wastes are regulated and creates the legal framework the town would use if it chooses to license haulers under nonexclusive franchise agreements.

The ordinance is billed by staff as a cleanup of previously drafted language, moving definitions and aligning text with existing contract operations while removing a specific mandate that livestock waste be placed in roll-off containers with watertight lids. "This item is a cleanup of our solid waste ordinance," said staff member Francine during the council presentation, summarizing the changes and the link to franchise authority.

Why it matters: the changes determine whether and how the town can require haulers who collect manure and other agricultural waste to register, meet standards or operate under franchise agreements — rules that affect equestrians, small farms, private haulers and residents across the town. The council's action on the ordinance does not itself create a franchise; it updates the code and preserves options including civil citations and both exclusive and nonexclusive franchise authority.

Most important facts first: the ordinance removes a line that tied livestock waste collection to a particular container type and clarifies that livestock and special waste are covered by the town's solid-waste chapter. Council and staff repeatedly said the ordinance supports the town's ability to adopt a nonexclusive franchise program in the future to replace the prior…