The Cove Gardens Homeowners Association, Inc., is a Florida non-profit corporation, formed in 2007 by the subdivision’s developer to provide for ownership and ensure continuing maintenance of the common property, which consists primarily of the road (Evening Falls Drive) and drainage system, the most prominent feature being the retaining pond at the east end of the subdivision. The board is also charged with enforcement of the restrictive covenants, oversight of general appearance of the neighborhood through architectural review to ensure  changes in the appearance of homes and lots is congruent with the look of the neighborhood.

The bottom line purpose of the Association, through the governance provided by the board, is to ensure property values are optimized and the ambience of the neighborhood is preserved to provide the highest quality of life for residents and owners.

The foundational documents, consisting of the articles of incorporation filed with the Florida Secretary of State; the Bylaws, recorded in the Official Record of Escambia County; and the Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements (CCRs), also recorded in the Official Record of Escambia County, provide for the election of directors and the authority of those directors to fulfill their duties.

Because the CCRs were filed in the Official Record before any lot was sold by the developer, and they specifically provide that they “run with the land” (rather than a specific owner), every property owner in Cove Gardens is legally required to abide by the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions specified in that document. 

The Board of Directors is elected by the membership at the annual meeting of the Association, which is

usually held in January. The board presently consists of five members, each serving three-year terms on a staggered basis to provide continuity by not turning the board over at the same time.

Among the duties of the board is the appointment of officers, which consist of a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Historically, the board has appointed officers from its own ranks, though the foundational documents do not require an officer to also be a director. The officers are appointed annually at the first meeting of the board after the annual meeting. This meeting is usually held within a few days of the annual meeting.

 The current members of the  board and officers are; Bill Nanny, President (2027); Gary Kuhl, Vice President (2028); Lori Bell, Treasurer (2026), Joshua Lindsay, Secretary (2026); and Reggie Owens, Sergeant at Arms (2028).

Under present operation, the board meets every other month (even numbered months) on the last Thursday of that month at 6:30 p.m. Since the beginning of the Pandemic, non-director members of the Association are provided the opportunity to attend meetings via Zoom. The next board meeting will be broadcasted on the website as an information blurb and a reminder will be posted as a sign at the front of the neighborhood. Meetings are officially noticed, and an agenda is published on this website, about one week before the meeting.

State law provides that board meeting minutes and association financial reports are available upon request to members (i.e. owners of Cove Gardens property) upon request. An owner may request these items by calling Property Manager Stacie Porter of Etheridge Property Management at (850) 484-2611 or completing the form on the Documents page of this website.

Members with concerns are encouraged to contact any board member in person, by using the “Contact Us” form on this website or by calling Stacie at (850) 484-2611.