The board also set the high-water mark for 2026-27 budget during the Aug. 4 meeting.
Kai’s Regional Supervisor Andy Mendenhall explained that the board would set the high-water mark for the 2026-27 budget during this meeting and then fine-tune the numbers during the next two meetings before voting in August. Mendenhall said the current budget takes into consideration how work in the district is trending, projects for 2027 and projected cost increases. He added that, from a long-term perspective, the only risk with the proposed budget is that the rate is slightly behind for paving assessments in gated neighborhoods. He said those costs could increase by 5 to 10% due to increased petroleum costs, but that is a bit of an unknown. Mendenhall continued that the board could increase the high-water mark (currently a 6% increase over last year) as a precautionary measure.
Supervisor Chris Barrett asked about plant replacement costs, noting that they had just adopted a grounds review from the landscape architect and plant replacement costs went down ($140,000 to $72,000). Mendenhall said that number represents standard plant replacement, not improvement projects and there is $250,000 in the budget for physical environment contingencies that can be used for projects. Field Manager David Sylvanowicz added that the number lines up with standard plants that Red Tree is replacing.
Barrett also noted that budgeted stormwater costs had gone down. Office Manager Sherida Cook said they reallocated the fountain contract to a separate line item, which reduced the number. Barrett expressed concern about having the appropriate funds to take care of stormwater projects in light of past flooding. Mendenhall said there are different contingency line items for unexpected costs. Cook added that she had been meticulous with coding items, so this budget is showing true numbers.
Barrett asked Supervisor Greg Chesney his thoughts on the proposed budget, and he said he was confident. “It’s already 6% higher and we have plenty of money as a community overall,” he said. “If something serious happens, there is a line of reserves.” Mendenhall concurred, adding, “Your district is much better prepared than any other district.” Barrett asked District Manager Heather Dilley to take a closer look at the paving costs to avoid a shortfall down the line.
The board unanimously approved the high-water mark for the 2026-27 budget. The public hearing for the budget will take place on Aug. 4, 2026, at 4 p.m.
Sylvanowicz informed the board that the district’s landscape management company recommended structural pruning of a number of trees to extend their life. The board unanimously approved a proposal for $47,750 to prune 72 trees, plus charges for lane closures. The board also approved a proposal for $78,000 to replace sod in The Greens right of way. The work will start after June 15 (rainy season). The board also approved $5,650 to repair cameras at the Harbor Links gates and $5,824.50 for gate repair following a lightning strike. The work will include concrete footings and a steel frame to avoid future damage.
Engineer Stephen Brletic offered an update on the TECO access road, stating that TECO realized part of the road was on CDD property, which means they would need an access agreement. The board agreed to table the agreement to revisit discussions with TECO regarding a separate parcel of land.
Turning back to Pond 120, District Counsel Erin McCormick said she had sent a letter of agreement to the two homeowners whose property is encroaching on the pond, which stated that homeowners would assume liability for any damage to the encroaching property. She said both homeowners sent it back stating they were accepting no liability. Because the dredging is imperative, McCormick recommended starting the work and looking at the agreement when it comes time to expand the size of the pond. The board voted to approve executing the contract to move forward with dredging.
McCormick said she had revised the cell tower leasing agreement with Vertex, taking into consideration the comments made by Shires resident Barry Anderson at the previous meeting. She added that Verizon has now expressed interest in the tower and Vertex agreed to hold off on a lease transfer to Vertical Bridge until construction of the Verizon antennae is complete. Verizon wants a 25-year lease period, which means the board would need to grant an additional 5-year term. The board approved the estoppel and consent regarding the ground lease with the understanding it wouldn’t transfer until after the Verizon antenna is up and approved the 5-year lease extension.
Dilley then asked the board to officially accept the resignation of long-time Supervisor Greg Chesney. Lewis thanked Chesney for his 27-plus years of service, and the board then voted unanimously to accept his resignation.
There were originally four candidates to replace Chesney, but Ashley Wait-Woodcock and Forrest Baumhover withdrew their nominations. The remaining candidates, Chris High and Marlon Santos, were interviewed by the board during the April workshop.
Lewis made a motion to appoint Chris High to fill Seat 1 and thanked both Santos and High for their interest in the position. Barrett said it was High’s background in engineering and his stormwater knowledge that had impressed him. High then took the oath of office.
Supervisor Jim Wimsatt made a motion to appoint Barrett to Chesney’s former position of vice chair and keep all other offices as is. It passed unanimously.
Sylvanowicz added a quick note to say adjustments had been made to fountain schedules to comply with water restrictions. The splash pad is deemed to have a secondary use (cooling) so it will remain on the County hours of 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
In audience comments, Boy Scout Troop 46 assistant scoutmaster Dave Naymick let the board know that members of his troop cleared between 2000-3000 lbs. of trash from a county-owned access road west of the Wells Fargo Bank on Linebaugh. He informed Code Enforcement about the dumping ground and encouraged other residents to report incidences of dumping on the County’s “At Your Service” portal. He said he would like to see someone clear the area and potentially put up cameras. The board responded that there wasn’t much they could do since it is not CDD property.
Greens resident Janie Stone questioned the board on the work on Pond 120, asking if SWFTMD was aware of the state of the pond. She then asked if the cost of dredging would be billed to West Park Village or the community as a whole and the board responded that it comes out of funds for the whole community.