The Deerfield Beach City Commission on April 1 voted unanimously to direct outside counsel to participate with Coconut Creek in challenging Broward County ordinances that approve an expansion of the Monarch Hill landfill.

Background and staff view: City attorneys said two legal challenges were prepared: one administrative comprehensive‑plan challenge filed in the Division of Administrative Hearings in Tallahassee and a separate circuit‑court challenge in Broward County. Outside counsel Ralph De Maio of Gilday Law, representing both Deerfield Beach and Coconut Creek in the Chapter 164 dispute process, said the county commission’s actions appear inconsistent with the county comprehensive plan and contrary to recommendations from county planning and land‑use authorities.

Solid Waste Authority report and timing: Commissioners noted that the Broward County Solid Waste Authority is preparing a report (expected August 2025) that would address air and water quality, dust and debris mitigation, odor control, traffic impacts, drainage, potential leachate risks, noise, health impacts and property values. De Maio and commissioners said they had urged the county to wait for the Solid Waste Authority’s report; the county instead adopted the ordinances.

Why Deerfield is joining Coconut Creek: De Maio said the commission believes the ordinances are inconsistent with the comprehensive plan and that the county’s actions enabled a significant expansion of landfill height and capacity that would disproportionately impact Deerfield Beach and Coconut Creek. Commissioners also noted prior denials of expansion requests (in 2008 and 2020) and said they were concerned the recent approvals repeated earlier proposals without new supporting analysis.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Hudak moved — and Commissioner Shnicki seconded — a motion directing outside counsel to make necessary filings so Deerfield Beach will participate with Coconut Creek in the Chapter 164 process and related administrative and judicial challenges. The commission approved the motion by roll call vote; all five commissioners voted yes.

Cost questions and next steps: During public comments, a resident asked about the potential cost to Deerfield Beach of joining the litigation; the cost was not specified at the meeting. De Maio reiterated the legal strategy is to challenge the ordinances’ consistency with the comprehensive plan; the commission did not disclose detailed litigation strategy in open session.