When Bob Hartmann and his wife Nancy were married in early 1988, they immediately set out to find a piece of property to build a house and raise their family. They have lived in Southwest Ranches for over 30 years, since before the town was formed. He has served as an elected member of the Town Council since 2018 as both a Council Member and Vice Mayor.

When his family moved here in 1994, their oldest daughter was just a week old. They were looking for a place to call home to raise their family—the Hartmann’s needed space for their expanding orchid and landscape nursery. They looked for a community with open spaces and a rural character. A place where their family could gain the benefits of caring for animals. A place with minimal interference and disruption from the local government. They looked throughout South Florida from Boca Raton to Kendall, but only one place stood above the rest; this area would soon become Southwest Ranches.

One of their girls is married and a mother of two. The other is a senior at FIU, but both still have a part of Southwest Ranches within them. Both have been active in the community and still attend many town events. This community helped raise them and is part of who they are. Many of you are a part of their story, and for that, Bob and Nancy are eternally grateful.

Bob says, “If any individual or family wants this rural lifestyle, there is only one choice: Southwest Ranches. I have done and will continue to do all I can to preserve this special place for the next generation. That is my pledge, which is my commitment, and that is what I have done for my years on the Council and for 24 years before my election to the Council as an active community member. I will continue to keep us rural, protect our lifestyle and families, and keep our taxes low.”