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Polk commissioners confirm Tabitha Beal as Parks and Natural Resources director
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners confirmed Tabitha Beal as director of Polk County Parks and Natural Resources, effective Oct. 27, 2025; commissioners thanked outgoing director Gay Sharp.
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners voted to confirm Tabitha Beal as the next director of the county’s Parks and Natural Resources Division, effective Oct. 27, 2025.
County Manager Beasley said the Polk County Charter requires board confirmation for executive service appointments and announced his appointment of Beal at the meeting. Beasley recounted Beal’s more than two decades of environmental leadership in the county, including work on stormwater, conservation programs and public education. He said Beal’s office has secured more than $50 million in grant funding and that the position’s FY 2025–26 budget contains the salary and benefits funding for the appointment.
Commissioners and colleagues praised both the appointee and outgoing director Gay Sharp. Commissioner Trautland and others thanked Sharp for decades of service and said Beal had strong local and regional support. Beal, speaking after the vote, thanked her mentors, cited parks and natural areas as “critical infrastructure,” and pledged to continue partnerships across municipalities and nonprofits.
Manager Beasley said the position’s negotiated salary is $148,000 with estimated benefits of about $60,000 and that existing appropriations in the FY 25–26 budget would cover the cost. The board moved, seconded and voted in favor; the chair called the motion carried.
