The Town Council of the Town of Southwest Ranches convened for its final meeting of the year, swearing in Councilmember Jim Albritton and approving a package of measures that will guide town policy into 2025.

On ordinances, the council approved on first reading a five‑year schedule of capital improvements for fiscal years 2025–2029 pursuant to chapter 163, Florida Statutes. Council also approved the first reading of a new chapter prohibiting public camping or sleeping to align the town code with recent state law changes. A separate amendment to the town’s noise ordinance added a required business impact statement; town counsel said the change resolves pending litigation that challenged the prior omission of that statement.

Council introduced and advanced on first reading an ordinance establishing a minimum interior space requirement for canine boarding and breeding operations (proposed at 60 square feet per dog), a change that drew extensive public comment from local home‑based business owners who warned of unequal impacts and pointed to federal and state guidance. Councilmembers said staff will research the differences between breeding and boarding requirements before second reading.

The council approved a resolution to enter a new agreement with JA Medina LLC for code enforcement services, including a budget amendment. As amended in the meeting, the contract now specifies minimum staffing certification levels for code officers (one Level‑4, one Level‑3, two Level‑2, one Level‑1) with a 120‑day period to attain required certifications if needed.

A purchase order for $39,653.40 to Her Homes LLC to complete drainage rehabilitation on Southwest 40 Ninth Court and Southwest 202 Avenue was approved, and the council consented to the City of Sunrise providing water service to a property at 14741 Sunset Lane with limits on future expansion without town approval.

In a lengthy policy discussion, the council examined options for dealing with legacy road rights‑of‑way that exceed existing road footprints: leaving rights‑of‑way as is, vacating right‑of‑way, using a Maintenance Indemnification & Work agreement (MIW) to allow limited private use with town protection, or converting to an easement. Council agreed to start an approximately 18‑month review and to solicit input from relevant advisory boards while permitting individual MIW requests to proceed during that period.

Public comment highlighted neighborhood disputes and business concerns. Rick Cormier criticized perceived gaps in enforcement near his property and raised concerns about an incinerator proposed outside town borders; Rose Williams reported political sign removal and said she filed a police report. Several residents involved in home‑based animal boarding raised legal and practical questions about the proposed 60‑square‑foot standard.

The council set a workshop for Jan. 15 to discuss charter official goals and scheduled additional procedural items for January. The meeting closed after brief committee scheduling and an adjournment motion.