On Tuesday, March 18, two new members took their seats on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council during a meeting that also featured a “State of the Town” address by Mayor Anita Kane.
At the meeting, the council accepted a report from Town Clerk Valerie Oakes summarizing the results of the Tuesday, March 11 election, in which Paul T. Coleman II won the race for Seat 4.
After the election report, Coleman took his seat on the council, as did Lisa El-Ramey, who was unopposed for Seat 2. The town then thanked former council members Robert Shorr and Laura Danowski for their six years of service.
After the new council was seated, Councilwoman Phillis Maniglia made a motion to appoint Kane to serve as mayor for a second year. The motion passed 4-1 with El-Ramey opposed. A motion to keep Marge Herzog as vice mayor for another year passed unanimously.
At the start of the meeting, Kane gave a 20-minute address summarizing all the work that has been done over the past year. “I want everybody to be aware of the really great things that we’ve done,” she explained.
Kane said that the town is looking for solutions to move forward.
“Over the years, we’ve faced many challenges — from significant storm activity to the complexities of growth and development,” she said. “Through every challenge, our community has stood firm in one belief: that preserving the rural character of Loxahatchee Groves is not just a goal — it is who we are.”
She called for a new “community visioning session” in June of this year to create actionable plans for the future.
“We know what we don’t want. We don’t want unchecked growth that erodes our rural lifestyle. We don’t want decisions that compromise our unique landscapes or community traditions. But simply knowing what we don’t want is no longer enough,” Kane said.
She summarized a number of key projects that have moved forward over the past year, including getting a “rural area designation” from the state, which will protect the town’s rural lifestyle and also provide regulatory protections and financial benefits. The town has also initiated a comprehensive update to its water control plan.
“This update will be the driving force for future funding strategies, including grants, as well as cost-sharing partnerships with other agencies, as well as property owners,” Kane explained.
There is also a “vulnerability assessment” underway that will hopefully lead to more grants in the future.
Other initiatives include the adoption of rural roadway standards and a comprehensive update to the town’s “Rural Vista Guidelines,” with the goal of incorporating them into the town’s uniform land development code (ULDC).
Over the past year, the town has also begun implementation of a new RV registration program, design work for trails along major roadways to enhance connectivity and safety, and a new town-wide signage program. “These efforts reinforce our commitment to improving road safety, enhancing visibility and ensuring our rural infrastructure meets the needs of our growing community,” Kane said.
Yet there is much more work to be done, as shown in the adoption of a capital improvement plan noting the town’s known infrastructure needs, which includes $80 million for complete canal bank restoration and stabilization, as well as approximately $23 million for other drainage, roads and public works needs.
“These are some big numbers, and that is why we are pushing for grants everywhere we can,” she said, noting that the town currently has applications in totaling more than $15 million, along with seven other grant submissions coming up totaling nearly $93 million.
Kane said that one key initiative over the past year has been “elevating our voice and visibility through strategic advocacy,” which includes working with a lobbyist.
“It is no longer just about seeking funding — it’s about ensuring that Loxahatchee Groves is being heard,” Kane said. “Our concerns and priorities are now recognized by legislative and regulatory agencies at both the state and local levels.”
She is also proud of the work that has been done on the town’s comprehensive plan.
“A major milestone over the past year was the adoption of our comprehensive plan, which sets the framework for how we preserve our rural character, support sustainable development, and protect natural resources,” Kane said.
Next, the town must work to streamline and update the ULDC to “align with the adopted comp plan and reflect the goals and priorities of our town,” she said.
She is also proud of work underway to create an “SR 80 rural recreational and business corridor” designed to create buffers that protect the town’s rural, agricultural and equestrian lifestyle.
A major focus of the past year has been on strengthening town operations, staff and services.
“We value the concept of ‘government lite’ — a model that emphasizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness,” Kane said. “But let me be clear, ‘government lite’ does not mean understaffing. It means having the right people, the right expertise and the right contracts to get the job done well.”
This has led the town to switch to in-house building and code enforcement, a revamping of public works and improvements to emergency management operations.
“My message tonight is a call to action,” Kane said. “We have made significant progress, but there is more to be done. We cannot afford to keep stopping short of action. We cannot keep building plans only to leave them on a shelf. We cannot settle for almost.”
In concluding her message, Kane called for community-wide engagement leading to actionable plans with transparency and accountability.
“We are not a community that backs away from challenges,” she said. “We are a community that meets them head-on. Together, we will take the steps necessary to build a stronger, more resilient and sustainable Loxahatchee Groves.”
