Minutes of the April 14, 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)

Trustees Absent:         Denita Schweinzger (Trustee)

 

The meeting was called to order by Steven at 7:00 p.m.

 

Secretary's Report

The minutes of the August 2026 Board meeting were read in advance by Trustees. Barbara made a motion, seconded by Dena, that the minutes be approved.  The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0. 

 

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

Revenue from previous month:  $0

Expenses: 

     Utilities - $102 (43.00)

     Landscape maintenance - $815 (46.00)

     Backflow prevention device testing - $100 (46.00)

     FY25 audit - $1,750 (32.00)

Cash in bank:  $65,156

Available to spend:  $60,596

 

Old Business

 

Alleged Error in FY27 Budget Package – Steven reported that Mary Mahoney at County Management & Budget responded to his last email to her about this matter indicating that the error had occurred in her office and the budget package had been approved on August 12 and forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for approval.

 

Potential Acquisition of Easements for Property on which Casey Rd. Monuments and Wall were Built – It was recommended by Michael at the August Board meeting that a letter be mailed to property owners prior to the easements being established to advise them of the project. Penny drafted a letter shortly after that meeting and emailed it to Trustees. Michael drafted another letter that he distributed copies of at the September Board meeting.  Before Trustees discussed the letters, Penny commented that it occurred to her, based on a definition of easement (“a legal right that lets someone use another person’s property for a specific purpose without owning it.”), an easement for maintenance purposes would give the Board the right to access a property owner’s property within the easement, but it would not give the Board ownership of the wall. Since the Board has authority to expend funds only for cosmetic improvements to property the District does not own, the easement would have little or no purpose.  This was discussed by Trustees, and it was agreed that no further action should be taken at this time to pursue easements.  Penny will contact David Wright, TSP Co., to inform him of the decision and thank him and his colleagues for their efforts.  

 

Audit Required for FY25 Budget – Barbara reported that King and Walker, CPA’s, completed the audit on August 18.  Barbara posted it on the Beacon Meadows website, and it was recertified in the State financial system (LOGERx).

 

New Business

 

Vote to Approve Unaudited Financial Statement for FY26 – Barbara explained that if revenues and/or expenditures for a particular fiscal year meet the criteria for an audit, an audit is required only every three years. Therefore, an unaudited financial statement can be approved for FY26. Penny made a motion, seconded by Michael, that an unaudited financial statement be approved for FY26. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0. Barbara reported that she will arrange for the required mailing (postcard) to all property owners to notify them of the Board’s decision. Postcards must be received by September 30 but could arrive as early as September 15.          

 

Vote to Approve Monthly Board Meeting Schedule for FY27 – After discussion by Trustees, Penny made a motion, seconded by Steven, that the Board meeting schedule for FY27 remain the second Tuesday of each month at the Northdale Recreation Center, 15510 Hooting Owls Place, Tampa. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0. Barbara will advertise the meeting schedule in the Tampa Times Bulletin Board, which will be published September 23. Steven agreed to buy a newspaper on that date for a copy of the advertisement.    

 

Trustees’ Monthly Task Update

• Lights/Irrigation Systems at Entrances

  • Casey Rd. (Michael) – No issues identified.

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

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

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

 

Denita reported at the August Board meeting that there are two dead bushed at the Gunn Hwy. entrance, one on each side, which she had taken pictures of. Penny contacted Jim Sears of Gator Property Management for an estimate for replacing the bushes. He provided an estimate of $425 for planting two seven-gallon bushes. Trustees agreed that the estimate was high and no action should be taken at this time.

 

Other Business

 

Reminder of October Beacon Meadows Yard Sale – Carlos reported that the yard sale is the first Saturday in October and that he would put up the signs soon.  

 

There being no further business, Steven made a motion, seconded by Dena, that the meeting be adjourned at 7:26 p.m.  The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0.

 

Steven Castry, President_____________________

 

Penny Phillips, Secretary_____________________

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