Minutes of the August 11, 2026 Meeting

Board of Trustees of the Beacon Meadows Special Dependent Tax District

Northdale Park & Rec, 15510A Hooting Owls Place., Tampa, Florida

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AGENDA

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Trustees Present:        Steven Castry (President), Dena Galyardt (Vice President), Barbara Appel (Treasurer), Penny Phillips (Secretary), Carlos Espinel (Trustee), Michael Spinelli (Trustee), Denita Schweinzger (Trustee)

Trustees Absent:         None

 

The meeting was called to order by Steven at 7:04 p.m.

 

Secretary's Report

The minutes of the July 2026 Board meeting were read in advance by Trustees. Dena made a motion, seconded by Michael, that the minutes be approved.  The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0. 

 

Treasurer’s Report (July  2026) (rounded to nearest dollar)

Revenue from previous month:  $0

Expenses: 

Utilities - $108 (43.00)

Landscape maintenance - $815 (46.00)

Cash in bank:  $67,824

Available to spend:  $62,234

 

Old Business

 

Alleged Error in FY27 Budget Package – Steven reported that Mary Mahoney at County Management & Budget sent an e-mail to him on July 22 alleging that the advertised date (June 22) for the Public Budget Hearing was different than the actual date (June 9) of the hearing. Steven responded on July 23 that he had reviewed all the documents submitted and there was no evidence that the dates were different and June 9 was correct. After another exchange of e-mails, the issue was still not resolved prior to the Board meeting. Steven will report on this again at the next Board meeting.

 

Testing of Backflow Prevention Devices at Both Entrances – Penny reported that in July the testing had been completed by Affordable Backflow Testing, the information had been submitted to the County, and the invoice for $100 for both entrances had been received. Barbara made the payment.

 

Potential Acquisition of Easements for Property on which Casey Rd. Monuments and Wall were Built– Penny reported that she had been in touch with David Wright, TSP Co., for an update. In June, Mr. Wright sent an e-mail to Mary Mahoney at County Management & Budget inquiring if the County Commission needed to be involved in this project in any way. She responded that only if the easement was on County right-of-way would the County Commission need to approve it.  Therefore, the proposed easement was revised so the four-foot easement would be on the property owner’s property, including the width of the wall. Penny also reported that the survey proposal from Williamson & Associates, Inc. indicated that a routine survey can be performed without fieldwork for $800. If advanced fieldwork is required, it would be $2,500. If the easement project is approved by the Board, Mr. Wright will charge $400 for his two hours of work.  He contacted a colleague who is an attorney to request a proposal for drafting the easement document. That proposal will be available at the next Board meeting. Michael voiced his concern about how the easement would be used and how property owners would be notified prior to their property being accessed. This resulted in a discussion among Trustees. Michael recommended that a letter be mailed to property owners prior to the easements being established to advise them of the project, and he offered to draft a letter, as time permitted, for the next Board meeting.

 

New Business

 

Audit Required for FY25 Budget – Barbara reported that she had been notified that, based on Florida Statutes, an audit of the FY25 budget was required because revenues or expenditures exceeded $50,000 and no audit had been conducted in the two preceding fiscal years. An audit costs $2,500, but the $750 that had already been paid for the unaudited financial statement was applied toward this expense.  Barbara gathered the necessary information and provided it to King and Walker, CPA’s.  The audit must be completed by the end of August.

 

Trustees’ Monthly Task Update

• Lights/Irrigation Systems at Entrances –

  • Casey Rd. (Michael) – No issues identified. Michael reported that he did not have access to the irrigation system timer. Dena agreed to bring the key to the next Board meeting.

  • Gunn Hwy. (Carlos) – No issues identified.

• Planters at Entrances (Steven) – No issues identified.

• Signs at Entrances (Dena) – No issues identified.

 

Denita reported that there are two dead bushed at the Gunn Hwy. entrance, one on each side, which she had taken pictures of. This was discussed by Trustees, and it was agreed that the bushes could be replaced the next time mulch was applied in the entrance planters.

 

There being no further business, Penny made a motion, seconded by Steven, that the meeting be adjourned at 7:58 p.m.  The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0.

 

Steven Castry, President_____________________

 

Penny Phillips, Secretary_____________________

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