MINUTES OF MEETING 

POINCIANA WEST 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 

 

 The Audit Committee meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Poinciana West 
Community Development District was held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. via 
Zoom Communication Media Technology and in The Gator Room, 385 Village Drive, 
Poinciana, Florida. 

 

 Present were: 

 

 Peggy Gregory Chair 

 Roy LaRue 

 Dr. Maneck Master 

 

 

 Also present were: 

 

 

 Tricia Adams District Manager 

 

 The following is a summary of the discussions and actions taken at the November 20, 
2024 Poinciana West Community Development District’s Audit Committee Meeting. 

 

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS Roll Call 

 Ms. Adams called the Audit Committee meeting to order at 11:15 a.m. A quorum was 
present. 

 

SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS Public Comment Period 

 There being no comments, the next item followed. 

 

THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS Audit Services 

Ms. Adams reported that based on discussion with Chair and District Council, due to the 
lack of availability of Berger, Toombs, Elam, Gaines & Frank, to deliver audit services on time, 
staff solicited for audit services. The form of notice was reviewed and approved by District 
Counsel. Mr. Clark confirmed that this was typical of what the District needed to do, in order to 
comply with Chapter 218 of the Florida Statutes, which governs local finance. The process was 


for the Board to approve the instructions and notice that were sent out and then review the 
proposals that were received. 

 

A. Approval of Request for Proposals and Selection Criteria 
B. Approval of Notice of Request for Proposals for Audit Services 
C. Public Announcement of Opportunity to Provide Auditing Services 


 Ms. Adams presented the standard Request for Proposals (RFP), selection criteria, notice 
and public announcement in order for the Board to seek proposals. These documents were 
released as a result of the solicitation and the Board was taking action to ratify the actions of the 
District Manager and the Chair of the Poinciana West CDD. Dr. Master questioned how the 
auditor was selected the last time. Ms. Adams stated that the Board completed the same process. 
Mr. Clark confirmed that it was a statutory process. 

 

On MOTION by Dr. Master seconded by Ms. Gregory with all in 
favor approval and release of the Request for Proposals, Selection 
Criteria, notice and public announcement were ratified. 

 

FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Review & Ranking of Audit Proposals 

A. DiBartolomeo, McBee, Hartley & Barnes 
B. Grau & Associates 


 Ms. Adams reported that two proposals were received in response to the RFP: one from 
DiBartolomeo, McBee, Hartley & Barnes and the other from Grau & Associates (Grau). Ranking 
sheets were provided to the Board. Rather than doing individual rankings, she recommended that 
the Board do a consensus ranking. Both firms completed many audits for Community 
Development Districts throughout Florida and could competently and capably prepare audits and 
provide on time. Ms. Adams recommended the following ranking: 1) Ability of Personnel: 
Awarding DiBartolomeo 19 points and Grau 20 points, as Grau had been doing audits longer and 
had more experience than DiBartolomeo, 2) Proposer’s Experience: Awarding Grau 20 points 
and DiBartolomeo 19 points, due to Grau's length of experience being greater than 
DiBartolomeo, 3) Understanding of Scope of Work: Awarding Grau 20 points and DiBartolomeo 
20 points, 4) Ability to Furnish the Required Services: Awarding Grau 20 points and 
DiBartolomeo 20 points and 5) Price: Awarding Grau 20 points and DiBartolomeo 19 points, as 
Grau proposed $18,000 for five years and DiBartolomeo proposed $18,600 for five years. Ms. 


Adams reported that once the Board selected an auditor, they could renew through an annual 
engagement letter, for up to five years. Ms. Gregory agreed. Based on the ranking, Grau received 
100 points and was ranked number one and DiBartolomeo received 98 points and was ranked 
number two 

 

On MOTION by Ms. Gregory seconded by Dr. Master with all in 
favor accepting the ranking of Grau & Associates as the number 
one ranked firm to provide auditing services and DiBartolomeo, 
McBee, Hartley & Barnes number two was approved. 

 

FIFTH ORDER OF BUSINESS Adjournment 

 

On MOTION by Ms. Gregory seconded by Dr. Master with all in 
favor the Audit Committee meeting was adjourned. Signature - Tricia Adams
Signature - Peggy Gregory


 

 

 

 

 

 

Secretary/Assistant Secretary Chairman/Vice Chairman