Emily Bennett

The board discussed and approved a proposed budget, covering sundry items, fees, and operational costs. The Executive Director provided updates, including information regarding the 2026 meeting schedule and development projects. Board members reviewed various name suggestions for a new development and selected specific options for further consideration by community partners. Additionally, financial statements for December and January were reviewed and approved.

The meeting agenda included preparations for Arbor Day, scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, and discussions concerning an Arbor Day Proclamation for the City Council meeting on Monday, April 6, 2026, and the Beautify Brooksville event on Saturday, April 4, 2026. There were no nominations for the Margaret R. Ghiotto Residential or Commercial Improvement Awards. The Board also reviewed and approved the minutes from the January 13, 2026 meeting, which covered the selection of the Chair and Vice Chair, follow-up on Holiday Light Contest winners, and an update regarding the City Sign Ordinance which passed unanimously, limiting feather signs and grandfathering existing pole signs. The Board also discussed Arbor Day event logistics and potential changes to the nomination process for improvement awards. A Board Member indicated intent to resign in March.

The agenda for the upcoming meeting includes calling the meeting to order, the Pledge of Allegiance, citizen input, and several presentations and discussions. Key discussion points involve the Actuary (Foster and Foster) providing an update on calculations for Lump Sum Benefits, Annuities, and the Share Plan. The Board Attorney (Pedro Herrera) will discuss methods of distribution for Lump Sum Distributions and Annuities, as well as miscellaneous information regarding termination and an update on Salem Trust. The agenda also includes Mariner's performance monitoring flash report and a review of outstanding invoices from Sugarman and Susskind, S. McCrary, and Mariner.

The Quarterly Meeting agenda covered several items, including required documents for posting by the Plan Sponsor and the 2026 IRS mileage rate. Reports included the October 1, 2025 actuarial valuation report and the December 31, 2025 quarterly investment report. The consent agenda involved payment ratification and review of fund activity from November 6, 2025, through February 3, 2026. Staff reports addressed an annual report update. The minutes of the subsequent August 13, 2025 meeting detailed the approval of the 2026 meeting dates, which shift from Wednesday to Tuesday meetings. Additionally, the Board approved binding a renewal of the Fiduciary Liability Policy not to exceed $2,000.00 and directed the plan administrator to seek competitive quotes for the following year. A discussion on Florida House Bill 1519, which impacts contracts and investments regarding boycotts of Israel, was held. The Board also reviewed investment performance reports, including asset allocation and fund returns, and approved reallocation of $14,000.00 from Europacific to DFA in international investments. The consent agenda for that meeting included payment ratification for Warrant #99 and fund activity reports.

The agenda for the upcoming meeting includes organizational items such as the Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman. Financial reviews are scheduled for the November 2025 minutes and the October and November 2025 financials. The meeting structure allows for open discussion and citizen comments.