The Town of Southwest Ranches opened with swearing-in ceremonies for newly elected and returning officials, who repeated the oath to uphold the U.S. and Florida constitutions and the town charter and pledged to protect the town's rural, agricultural and equestrian character.

Minutes later the council took up the selection of a vice mayor. Council moved and seconded the nomination of Council member Bob Hartman; the nomination carried on a roll-call vote, and colleagues offered brief congratulations and remarks about working together in the coming term.

Why it matters: The vice mayor serves as the council's second-ranking elected official and often presides when the mayor is absent; the choice signals the body's near-term leadership and priorities.

Council and public business that followed mixed ceremonial items and routine governance with substantive community concerns. During public comment residents pressed the council on drainage planning and cited an absence of a property-by-property tertiary drainage master plan; a speaker asked the council to complete that mapping so future projects have a clearer, recorded basis. Councilmembers acknowledged the concern and said staff would consider next steps.

Other council discussion touched on campaign signage rules and road repairs. Several members argued for tightening the town's sign code to limit how early campaign signs can be posted; others urged legal review to ensure any change complies with First Amendment precedent. On roadway maintenance, council discussed moving from temporary cold-patch repairs toward more durable sections or hot-patch work where repeated failures occur, and asked administration to produce a prioritized plan even if that means higher short-term costs.

The meeting concluded after a sequence of board reports, contract votes and budget adjustments. The council adjourned after approving the evening's agenda items.

The council is expected to follow up on drainage planning, sign-code research and a prioritized road maintenance plan at future meetings.