A Year of Progress at Carrollton Lakes
A look back from fall 2025 through October 2026
By Ryan Kearns, HOA Board President
On October 2, Hillsborough County notified us that Carrollton Lakes’ “Community Connection” project had received an official Honorable Mention in its 2026 Neighborhood Awards. Five days later, the County approved our resident pond group’s Adopt-A-Pond application for the Lake Gemma stormwater pond.
Both announcements followed months of work by the board and participating homeowners. They are a good reason to look back at what has changed over the past year and where we go from here.
Keeping homeowners informed
Our community website brings board updates, newsletters, meeting information and resources together in one place. It also connects homeowners to the Ocean Blue Homeowner Portal for association business.
The regular President’s Corner explains board decisions and project status between meetings. Secretary Rose Bowman prepares the community newsletters, while social updates offer another way to follow what is happening. Homeowners have several places to find information, even when they cannot attend a meeting.
The County’s Honorable Mention specifically recognized those communication efforts and our new-homeowner welcome program. It follows Carrollton Lakes’ 2025 Engaged Neighborhood Award.
A more personal welcome
We introduced a gift and card for new homeowners, with Secretary Rose Bowman taking the lead. It is a simple way to say hello and help someone feel welcome when they move in.
Yard of the Month has continued to recognize the work residents put into their homes. Homeowners have also contributed planting ideas for the entrances, helped collect pond signatures and stayed in touch with the County about next steps.
Caring for our shared spaces
Coordination with neighboring communities allowed aquatic treatment along our Lake Heather shoreline to resume in September.
At Lake Gemma, homeowners helped gather the required signatures and work through the Adopt-A-Pond application. With approval in place, planting is tentatively expected in spring 2027. Our Lake Gemma update explains the next steps.
In September, the association also received its first comprehensive reserve study, providing a professional assessment of our shared assets and their maintenance and replacement needs. The board is reviewing the study alongside vendor pricing to help develop the 2027 budget. Our reserve study overview explains how the findings will inform those decisions.
The people doing the work
Our volunteer Board of Directors is:
- Ryan Kearns, President
- Tom Read, Vice President and Architectural Review Committee Chairman
- Rose Bowman, Secretary
- Charlie Pritchard, Treasurer
David Latrella, our property manager with Ocean Blue Community Management, helps coordinate projects and association business.
Looking ahead
Electronic voting was formally authorized for eligible HOA matters in September. Homeowner consent and enrollment are part of the process. Work to renew and modernize our governing documents also continues.
Planning is underway for entrance landscaping improvements and future pond planting. The board has also approved a fence around the irrigation equipment at the Lake Heather Drive entrance.
Thank you to the homeowners who have helped, attended meetings or sent questions. If you would like to get involved, bring an idea to a board meeting or contact us through the community website. Help with individual projects is always welcome.