2026 HOA ACTIVITIES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 

Please note the below listing of the work done on your behalf. Some activities naturally overlap as they were part of multiple related efforts; additionally, several projects were initiated in 2024 & 2025.

 

I. AGING INFRASTRUCTURE, STORMWATER & COUNTY COORDINATION EFFORTS

 

The HOA maintained ongoing communication and follow-up with Sarasota County regarding infrastructure, drainage, stormwater, maintenance, and other issues affecting Forest Lakes.

 

• Maintained weekly and monthly communication, meetings, follow-ups, and telephone calls with County Stormwater staff regarding Phase I of PC dredging.

• Initiated meetings with both the county and the Contractor regarding the collapse of the new ‘rip-rap” (rock barrier) and its restoration, as well as the sod and planting area at the Tanglewood entrance.

• Negotiated with the creek-dredging contractor to offset approximately three-fourths of the electrical repair expense.

• Continued discussions and permit follow-up concerning the 2027 Maximum Allowable Dredge – Phase II, with the goal of continuing sediment removal throughout Phillippi Creek.

• Followed up with the County regarding the drainage pipe repair at Hyde Park and Brookhaven.

• Raised and followed up on drainage concerns at Beneva and Riviera and on White Sulphur.

• Coordinated with the County regarding fallen tree removal from the Tanglewood drainage ditch.

• Communicated with County officials regarding the North Brookhaven sewage break, including its impact on surrounding properties and the Palms Golf Course.

• Maintained communication with County administrators regarding street sign damage, yard debris, ditch clearing, speeding concerns along Beneva, and other infrastructure and maintenance issues.

• Coordinated information from County departments and the Sarasota County Historical Society for distribution through HOA News Blasts and the website.

• Communicated important County information regarding infrastructure, drainage, maintenance, and community activities.HOA Activities re: County Stormwater Tax ProposalThe HOA closely followed the County's proposal to increase stormwater taxes and worked to ensure residents had information necessary to participate in the public discussion.

• Shared information obtained through County budget meetings regarding stormwater funding and planned expenditures.

• Met with County Stormwater leadership and finance representatives to better understand the County's stormwater budget, funding sources, expenditures, and proposed additional stormwater tax revenue.

• Encouraged residents to communicate directly with County Commissioners.

• Organized and encouraged resident participation at County Commission meetings where Forest Lakes residents addressed the proposed increase.

 

The HOA's role was to provide information, facilitate civic participation, and ensure that Forest Lakes residents' concerns were communicated to County decision-makers

​

Outcome: The County’s proposed stormwater tax increase was not approved by the County Commission.

​

II. THE PALMS GOLF COURSE & FUTURE OF THE PROPERTY

 

The future of the Palms Golf Course was one of the HOA's major areas of involvement during 2026.The HOA worked with legal counsel, County officials, residents, and other stakeholders to ensure that the legal protections affecting Forest Lakes and the golf course were understood and considered during discussions concerning potential County ownership. Their work included:

​

• Worked with HOA legal counsel to communicate the requirements and protections contained in the neighborhood's Covenant, including how the document applies to the land and its ownership.

• Presented Covenant information to prospective buyers and participated in meetings involving HOA counsel and the County Purchasing Department.

• Following concerns regarding the County's interpretation of the Covenant, HOA legal counsel sent multiple notices and letters seeking clarification and resolution.

• HOA Board members and residents addressed the County Commission on multiple occasions and submitted correspondence regarding the Covenant and the proposed County purchase.

• Compiled a comprehensive 2-inch reference binder containing County documents, aerial views, maps, drainage locations, infrastructure concerns, golf course information, and historical documentation concerning the Covenant, for discussion with perspective purchasers.

• Hosted a resident workshop following the Annual HOA Meeting to identify resident concerns, priorities, non-negotiable items, and questions regarding future ownership and operation of the golf course.

• Compiled the workshop results into a booklet containing resident concerns and supporting information and provided copies to County leaders.

• Following the County's decision not to purchase the property, worked with the new Palms ownership group to establish special golf pricing for Forest Lakes residents.

• Continued communication with the new owners regarding golf course developments and maintenance of areas adjacent to the neighborhood.

 

Outcomes

​

• Because SRQ LLC decided to purchase the property for an equal price and accelerated time frame that the County chose not to purchase the Palms Golf Course. (Of note the County has since announced need for additional regional taxes for another golf course purchase).

• As a result, the course was subsequently purchased by SRQ LLC, a private ownership group.

• The HOA established a cooperative relationship with the new ownership and negotiated Forest Lakes resident golf discounts

 

III. BEAUTIFICATION & AREA ENHANCEMENTS

 

The HOA continued to invest time and resources in maintaining and improving the appearance and function of Forest Lakes.

 

Neighborhood Improvements:

 

• Worked with the Sarasota County Historical Society on the installation of the historic marker at Beneva and Pine Valley Drive.

• Landscaped the area surrounding the historic marker.

• Added solar lighting at the Riviera entrance, historic marker, and Espanola Avenue entrance wall.

• Refreshed landscape circles surrounding neighborhood signposts, including trimming, edging, and mulch along Beneva.

• Added landscape plantings and mulch at the Espanola Avenue entrance.

• Added a new concrete pineapple embellishment to the Espanola entrance wall.

• Re-energized the large lantern at the primary Beneva entrance through cleaning, painting, bulb replacement, and ongoing hedge trimming.

• Provided ongoing oversight of mowing and maintenance of neighborhood public areas.

• Worked with the new Palms Golf Course owners to have additional areas adjacent to the neighborhood mowed and trimmed that had not been maintained by the previous ownership.

• Obtained pricing, coordinated vendor selection, and oversaw landscape, electrical, and repair work throughout the neighborhood throughout the year.

 

IV. PROPERTY REQUESTS, RESTRICTIONS & HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE

 

The HOA continued to help maintain neighborhood standards while assisting homeowners with property-related questions and improvements.

 

• Reviewed, reported and observed restriction issues and followed up through the FLCCE website.

• Responded to property improvement requests.

• Responded to Title and HOA information requests associated with property listings and sales.

• Coordinated with the Restriction Compliance Team and Yard Squad regarding property oversight and maintenance.

• Developed and distributed restriction door-tag reminders.

• Prepared restriction violation notices based on the type of offense.

• Prepared property improvement response letters and notes.

• Developed new signs for neighborhood membership and Annual Meeting activities.

 

V. COMMUNICATIONS & RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT

 

• Re-established the HOA's Facebook presence, with weekly posts providing announcements, reminders, observations, and community information.

• Distributed an average of 30+ HOA News Blasts during the year covering:

  • Community events and meetings

  • Annual Meeting and Resident Workshop information

  • Historic Marker CeremonyoCounty activities

  • Stormwater and infrastructure issues

  • Palms Golf Course developments

  • Community alerts and critical updates

• Updated the FLCCE website with monthly postings and current neighborhood information

• Continued outreach to residents to expand the HOA email list and provide faster, more cost-effective communication.

• Designed and produced coffee labels and coffee gifts for residents, speakers, and membership incentives.

• County & Community Information

 

VII. MEMBERSHIP, WELCOME & ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

 

The HOA continued to strengthen its membership and resident-welcome programs while supporting the Treasurer with administrative functions.

• Drafted and distributed membership and renewal letters through USPS and email.

• Prepared mailing quantities, labels, postage, and distribution materials.

• Created five separate follow-up notices for membership requests and renewals.

• Prepared member narratives and coordinated mailings.

• Designed and produced General Member and Member Plus stickers.

• Maintained membership documentation and coordinated updates through membership software.

• Coordinated membership records with the Treasurer and Square payment system.

• Continued distribution of previously designed welcome magnets to new residents.

• Surpassed the 2026 membership goal, supporting the HOA's planned budget.

 

VII. EVENTS & COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING

 

The HOA provided planning, communications, and logistical support for 3 major events throughout the year as well as South Gate Annual Yard Sale, July 4 flag day

• Invited and coordinated with guest speakers. 

• Established event locations and coordinated speaker requirements.

• Arranged sound and digital presentation equipment.

• Prepared member and non-member identification bracelets for Annual Meeting voting.

• Coordinated speaker gifts, coffee, refreshments, and event supplies.

• Prepared presentation materials.

• Organized the Resident Workshop held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting.

• Supported the Annual HOA Meeting.

• Supported the Historic Marker Ceremony.

 

VIII. FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

 

The HOA continued to carefully manage its financial resources while supporting the many activities undertaken during 2026.

 

• The HOA currently has funds invested in Certificates of Deposit (CDs), which have generated interest year-to-date while preserving the principal.

• The HOA has received contributions to the Covenant Defense Fund for 2026 which provides for legal support and communications regarding any threat to the Covenant.

• Continued to carefully manage expenses and work to maintain the planned 2026 budget while addressing the many issues affecting the community.

• Coordinated membership records and financial records with the Treasurer.

• Supported the Square payment system and membership reporting.

• Maintained financial and administrative documentation.

​

X. PHILLIPPI CREEK COALITION (PCC)

 

Forest Lakes continued its leadership role in the Phillippi Creek Coalition (PCC), which it helped establish in 2025 following the three major storms. The Coalition provides a coordinated community voice concerning flood mitigation, stormwater management, dredging, sediment removal, and the long-term maintenance of Phillippi Creek.

 

Participating Communities

​

• Forest Lakes

• South Gate

• PineCraft

• SAND – South End of the Creek

​

• Prepared and distributed news briefs to PineCraft residents.

• Participated in monthly meetings with County Stormwater staff regarding dredging progress and stormwater projects.

• Held weekly Zoom meetings with PCC members to establish priorities, monitor progress, and share information.

• Continued monitoring County dredging and stormwater activities with the goal of improving the Creek's capacity and reducing the potential for future flooding.

• Continued communication with County representatives concerning sediment removal and long-term creek maintenance.

​

2026 SIGNIFICANT OUTCOMES

 

Among the many activities undertaken during 2026, several developments had particular significance for Forest Lakes:

​

• The proposed County stormwater tax increase was not approved.

• The County ultimately chose not to purchase the Palms Golf Course.

• The Palms was subsequently purchased by SRQ LLC, providing a private ownership path for the property.

• The HOA established a working relationship with the new Palms ownership and negotiated special golf pricing for Forest Lakes residents.

• The HOA negotiated with the creek-dredging contractor to offset approximately three-fourths of the Tanglewood entrance electrical repair expense.

• The HOA continued active participation in the Phillippi Creek Coalition and County stormwater discussions.

• The HOA surpassed its 2026 membership goal.

• The HOA continued to strengthen neighborhood communications, property oversight, beautification, and resident services.

​

OUR WORK CONTINUES…

 

The Forest Lakes HOA is a volunteer organization. The neighbors who serve on the Board, committees, and volunteer teams give their time throughout the year to address issues that affect all of us.From infrastructure and stormwater to neighborhood appearance, property standards, communications, membership, and the future of surrounding properties, the HOA remains committed to protecting and enhancing Forest Lakes.Your neighbors are working diligently to benefit us all.

 

Please support the 2027 Membership Drive by choosing to support Forest Lakes Country Club Estates.