HART Board of Directors Regular Meeting – July 27, 2026
HART Board of Directors Regular Meeting – July 27, 2026
The Hart Board of Directors met on July 27, 2026, in a hybrid format at the Hart Administrative Offices. Chair John King called the meeting to order, and a quorum was present. No public comments were made. The meeting covered approval of prior minutes, the consent agenda, certification of the FY2027 millage rate, a revised FY2027 budget presentation, the CEO's contract extension, and a discussion on a property tax initiative.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of July 1, 2026, Regular Meeting: Approved with one dissenting vote.
- Consent Agenda (Items 4A–4E): Approved without opposition.
Discussion Items
- Resolution R2026-7-31 – Ad Valorem Tax Millage Rate Certification: CFO Shirley Shu Hurley presented the proposed 0.5-mil rate for FY2027, unchanged from the prior year. The rate would generate approximately $90.5 million in levy, with a budgeted revenue of $86 million after a 95% levy assumption. The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
- FY2027 Revised Proposed Budget: CFO Hurley presented a revised budget of $193.8 million, reflecting a $1.9 million reduction in ad valorem revenue due to lower certified taxable values. Adjustments included deferring service frequency enhancements (maintaining current service levels), reducing operating expenses by $1.7 million (notably healthcare and wages), and increasing capital spending by $2.1 million (due to grant-funded projects). Reserves remain compliant at 117 days. Board members asked about healthcare cost reductions, investment yield opportunities, and the impact of lower revenue miles on federal funding formulas. Staff replied that healthcare savings were based on claims experience, investment options are reviewed regularly, and the formula funding impact depends on peer agency actions.
- CEO Contract Extension: Board Counsel Jeff Gibson presented three options. A motion to extend CEO Drainville’s contract by two years with current terms passed unanimously. A board member later requested that the item be placed on the next meeting’s agenda for procedural clarity.
- Property Tax Initiative (Amendment 3): Mark Delegal, legislative consultant, briefed the board on the proposed constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption (to $250,000) and cap non-homestead assessment growth at 5%. The amendment will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Delegal estimated a 20% reduction in HART’s ad valorem revenue if passed. Litigation over ballot language is pending. Board members discussed potential financial impacts, service adjustments, and the need for a thorough analysis; it was agreed to bring the item to committee for further review.
Key Outcomes
- Millage Rate: Approved unanimously (Resolution R2026-7-31).
- FY2027 Revised Budget: Presented and discussed; no formal vote taken (budget adoption scheduled for September hearings).
- CEO Contract Extended: Two-year extension approved unanimously; formal agenda vote expected at next meeting.
- Property Tax Initiative: No vote; directed to committee for detailed financial impact analysis.
- Meeting Schedule: August 3, 2026 meeting canceled; budget hearings set for September 8 and September 21, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. I'm Director John King, Hart Board Chair of Vice Chairman. Please silence all electronic devices for the duration of the meeting. Welcome to the July 2026 Board of Directors regular meeting, which is now called to order. The meeting format is hybrid with board members physically present at the Heart Administrative Offices at 1201 East 7th Street Avenue Florida Conference Room and participating via communication media technology. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible the Liberty and Justice for all. Yes, sir. Um Director Cameron Cepeda. Present. Director Hobbs. Present. Vice Chair King. Present. Director Knight? Present. Director MacAlpatrick. Director McCannick. Director Miller. Yeah. Director Myers indicated she would be absent. Director Nebrick. Here. Director Schiffer indicated he would be absent. Director Smith. Here. Director Vieira. Director Williams. Present. And Director Wolfsol indicated that he would be absent. You do have a quorum, sir. Thank you. Next is public comment. We will start with a statement from the board counsel, Mr. Jeff Gibson. Good morning. Members of the public have a right to speak on any relevant issue during the public comment process. However, certain items may be rooted in contract pending legal recourse or prohibited by this board's policy, which prohibits involvement by this board in the normal employer, employer employee relationship between the CEO and any other employee or employee union of heart. While the public could address those matters, board members are advised not to discuss them during the public uh process. Thank you, Mr. Gibson. The Hart Board of Directors welcomes comments from citizens about any issue or concern. Your opinions are valued in terms of providing input to the board members when addressing the board comments shall not be directed personally uh against any board member or staff member, but rather directed at the issues. This provides a mutual respect between board members, staff and the public. The board has set aside 30 minutes, a 30-minute period for public comments as stated in the HARP board policy 210 uh parens 4A. Um the chair will call on speakers by name in the order in which they requested to speak and have been received. When addressing the board, please state your name, speak clearly. Up to three minutes are allowed for each speaker. Please refrain from discussing discussions on any matter brought up during public comment until after the public comment has been completed. Are there any uh public I do not believe there's anybody in the public comment?
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