Bayshore Gardens trustees review storm-driven budget shortfall, weigh assessment increase

At a May 13 work session, the Bayshore Gardens Park & Recreation District Board of Trustees reviewed the draft 2026–27 budget after storm-related overspending and a reworked audit, and discussed whether to propose a district assessment increase.

Trustee Terry Zimmerly, who presented the budget, said the district overspent in the last fiscal year and has continued pressures this year because of storm damage. After consulting with the district’s new auditor, Zimmerly said the auditors advised that "reserve funds" should not be included in the operating budget and instead should be tracked on a separate spreadsheet. Zimmerly said that, after accounting for operations for the remaining six months of the fiscal year, the district would likely roll about $250,000 into reserves.

That rollover estimate, Zimmerly said, is contingent on the board calculating current cash on hand and reserving funds needed to cover the remainder of the fiscal year. He noted the auditors had to redo last year’s audit, which delayed final audit figures used in planning.

The trustees discussed possible staffing and maintenance approaches to reduce recurring costs. Board members considered hiring an outside landscaping company or hiring one full-time maintenance employee to handle district grounds work, but no personnel decision was made.

Board members also debated whether an assessment increase would be required to stabilize the budget. No motion was introduced and no vote was taken; trustees instructed staff to verify cash balances and provide updated figures to guide any future proposal.

The board did not take formal action on the budget at the session; the minutes note the audit remains pending and the matter will return to the board with finalized numbers.