Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Government Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
IDA approves audit, housing agreements, property sales and several contract authorizations
Summary
The Hardee County Economic Development Council Industrial Development Authority convened and recorded a series of administrative and project decisions, including acceptance of the fiscal year 2024 audit, authorization for staff to negotiate a contract for the Gardens At Midtown housing proposal, ratification and extension of a Commerce Park purchase due-diligence period for EcoStairis, approval to execute a purchase contract with A Plus Environmental for a Commerce Park parcel, and authorization to negotiate with Saunders Real Estate for national marketing services.
The Hardee County Economic Development Council Industrial Development Authority convened and recorded a series of administrative and project decisions, including acceptance of the fiscal year 2024 audit, authorization for staff to negotiate a contract for the Gardens At Midtown housing proposal, ratification and extension of a Commerce Park purchase due-diligence period for EcoStairis, approval to execute a purchase contract with A Plus Environmental for a Commerce Park parcel, and authorization to negotiate with Saunders Real Estate for national marketing services.
Garrett Marlow, senior manager with the audit firm engaged by the IDA, told the board the auditors issued an unmodified opinion on the FY24 financial statements, reported a net position increase of about $8.3 million and revenue growth of roughly 57 percent, and identified one low-severity finding involving a subsequent disbursement not recorded in accounts payable. The board moved to accept the audit and approved the acceptance by voice vote.
On housing, staff reported one responsive proposal to the Gardens At Midtown RFQ from National Development of America working with Bridal Land Development and Rhino Construction; the evaluation committee recommended proceeding and the board authorized staff to negotiate a contract and return with a final agreement. Staff noted the IDA had budgeted $1,000,000 for the downtown housing element and that land acquisition and reimbursement language would be part of contract negotiations.
EcoStairis, a South Carolina company seeking two lots in the Commerce Park to operate medical/surgical tool sterilization services, requested additional time to complete permitting and due diligence. The board ratified a staff-signed temporary extension and voted to approve a 90-day extension of the inspection period through Nov. 14, 2025.
The board approved the exercise of an option to purchase by A Plus Environmental for a Commerce Park lot. Staff reported the contract price at the current appraised value of $146,500, with $14,650 earnest money and a 30-day inspection period; the motion authorized closing and execution of purchase documents.
The board also approved the evaluation committees recommendation to select Saunders Real Estate for national marketing and authorized staff to negotiate a contract. Saunders was the single respondent and was presented as a firm with statewide and national industrial-marketing experience.
Several additional routine motions passed by voice vote: approval of the meeting agenda and July 2025 minutes, acceptance of the auditors management letter, and approval of the July financial statements as presented.
Votes recorded on the transcript were conducted by voice; the board recorded motions, seconds and voice approvals but did not provide a roll-call tally for each item in the audio transcript.
