One of the most discussions centered on the town’s contract with the Miami-Dade Police Department. The current contract is nearing expiration, and the council considered a proposal to extend it with a 12-month notice period for termination, reverting from an earlier proposed 36-month notice. The mayor highlighted that the police department requested this change due to a command staff transition and an upcoming sheriff’s election. A council member proposed delaying the decision until the new sheriff takes office, citing potential renegotiation opportunities for the administrative fee to save the town substantial funds. They suggested that a flat fee could be negotiated to allocate more resources toward hiring additional officers. However, another council member expressed concerns about the potential risks of postponing the decision, including the possibility of losing leverage in negotiations and facing service continuity challenges.

The dialogue extended to the administrative fee’s structure, with discussions on whether it would be feasible to introduce language in the agreement for future negotiations on the fee. The police contract debate underscored differing perspectives on the balance between fiscal prudence and maintaining robust police services.

Another focal point of the meeting was community engagement and event funding. Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of certain events, with a council member questioning the return on investment for events like the Bike Rodeo and concerts, which reportedly have not met attendance expectations. The member emphasized the need for a candid assessment of event funding, citing significant costs and advocating for increased accountability. They proposed utilizing social media advertising strategies, similar to those employed by local businesses, to boost event visibility and attendance.

The council also touched upon a proposal to enhance school zone safety near Crooked Palm. The motion for these improvements was supported without opposition.

Infrastructure improvements were another key topic, with discussions on drainage projects and the maintenance of sidewalks and parks. A resident’s concern about sidewalk safety prompted a broader conversation about soil erosion and water retention issues in park areas. The council considered various solutions, including raising sidewalks or adding ground cover to prevent soil accumulation post-cleaning. The parks director highlighted the design intentions of the parks and potential modifications to address these challenges.

Lake quality and maintenance were also addressed, with a proposal to engage voluntary homeowners’ associations in forming Neighborhood Service Districts (NSDs) for lake upkeep. A council member stressed the importance of maintaining recreational quality and suggested implementing minimum standards and testing protocols.