Hardee County IDA approves leases, contracts, budgets and personnel moves in September meeting

The Hardee County Industrial Development Authority on a series of voice votes at its most recent meeting approved multiple lease agreements, professional contracts, budget resolutions and personnel actions.

The board approved a collaboration agreement with the University of South Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for $10,609; approved a no‑charge one‑year lease to host CareerSource Heartland staff in the IDA office; authorized termination and release of $125,000 held under an expired EDA job‑creation grant for Riveter; rejected a single $1,000 offer for a surplus paint booth and directed staff to seek other disposition options; approved a one‑year cattle land lease for 51.6 acres with a local operator; approved lease‑purchase agreements with Bola Fun Lanes (bowling alley) and Mancini Brands LLC; accepted the selection committee recommendation for professional accounting services (Wicks Brown & Williams) and authorized staff to negotiate and finalize a contract; accepted a single responsive RFQ for insurance services (Brown & Brown) and authorized staff to negotiate; approved the FY2025–26 EDC and related funds and adopted Resolution 2025‑18; appointed Sarah Evers as CEO under a 12‑month at‑will employment contract; approved a one‑year consulting agreement with outgoing CEO Denise Grimsley on an hourly basis; authorized a $6,000 exit bonus for Grimsley; accepted the resignation of board member Kali(e) Ward; elected board officers for the coming year (Chair Chris Esardi and Vice Chair Courtney Green effective Oct. 1); and approved the August financials.

Many items were handled as single motions and approved by voice vote without roll‑call tallies recorded in the minutes. Individual contract and lease terms were discussed in separate presentations prior to each motion. Staff and board members indicated unanimous support on the motions as shown in the meeting record.

Votes at a glance (motion text condensed) - University of South Florida SBDC collaboration agreement, funding $10,609 — approved (voice vote). - CareerSource Heartland lease (one year, nominal $1/year, use of office amenities) — approved (voice vote). - Termination and release of EDA grant agreement for Riveter; release of $125,000 back to EDA budget — approved (voice vote). - Reject single $1,000 offer for surplus paint booth and allow staff to seek alternatives (including donation to CTE/high school) — approved (voice vote). - Approve one‑year land lease for 51.6 acres with cow‑calf operator (industry standard ~$40/acre; tenant to carry liability insurance; IDA to reimburse 10% of fence cost up to $550 upon documentation) — approved (voice vote). - Approve lease‑purchase agreement with Bola Fun Lanes to capture $95,000 in eligible facility upgrades, maintain current base rent with 3.5% annual increases and require tenant to reimburse taxes/insurance — approved (voice vote). - Accept evaluation committee recommendation for accounting services (Wicks Brown & Williams); authorize staff to negotiate a one‑year contract with renewal options — approved (voice vote). - Approve professional accounting services agreement between IDA and Wicks Brown & Williams for FY2025–26 (as negotiated) — approved (voice vote). - Approve lease‑purchase agreement with Mancini Brands (7‑year triple net lease, personal guarantee, amortization of back rent of $2,172.92 over 84 months, deposit schedule) — approved (voice vote). - Accept RFQ selection committee recommendation for insurance services (Brown and Brown); authorize staff to negotiate a contract — approved (voice vote). - Adopt FY2025–26 EDC general fund and related funds; adopt Resolution 2025‑18 to formalize budgets — approved (voice vote). - Approve CEO employment contract with Sarah Evers (12‑month at‑will, base salary $110,000; performance goals and periodic review authorized to board) — approved (voice vote). - Approve one‑year consulting agreement with outgoing CEO Denise Grimsley (hourly rate $72.12; 30‑day termination) — approved (voice vote). - Approve $6,000 exit bonus to outgoing CEO Denise Grimsley — approved (voice vote). - Accept resignation of board member Kali(e) Ward — accepted (voice vote). - Elect Chris Esardi as board chair and Courtney Green as vice chair (terms effective Oct. 1) — approved (voice vote). - Approve August financials — approved (voice vote).

What this means: The board’s approvals keep lease and tenant projects moving, lock in a one‑year funding relationship with the University of South Florida SBDC, finalize vendor relationships for accounting and insurance, and set the IDA’s FY2025–26 budget. The board also completed a planned leadership transition by appointing Sarah Evers as CEO and establishing a short consulting arrangement with outgoing CEO Denise Grimsley.

Board members and staff said they will return to the board with contract details where needed (for example, the guaranteed maximum price for 122 West Main and invoices supporting reimbursement amounts). Several items—such as disposition options for the surplus paint booth—were left for staff to explore further and report back at the next meeting.