Page 8 - Martin Downs Bulletin - September '21

Page 8, Martin Downs

loCal GoverNMeNt

We Love To Offer Choices New Chat Service Save Our Homes (SOH)

Make The Right Choice For You! Have you ever had a problem or just needed a simple question Benefit
answered and not been able to reach a human on a company’s
By Jenny Fields, Martin electronic phone system and unfortunately their menu did not The Save Our Homes (SOH) benefit spread is the
County Property Appraiser list the specific topic you needed help with – frustrating! amount that the market value exceeds assessed value, and
People come from all At the Martin County Tax Collector’s office, by calling is not subject to being taxed. While real estate values can
walks of life and have 288-5600 or #TAX you will be connected to a clerk, not fluctuate over time, the SOH assessment cap restricts the
all different types of a menu. We have just added a virtual chat service, so you annual rise in assessed value to 3 percent or the percent
lifestyles. We try to help our will have another option to speak with a live clerk, not change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less.
constituents have a better an automated message system. Look for the chat icon on For example, in 2021, the market value on a property
quality of life by offering the bottom right of our website and start chatting with a increased to $312,748. However, the 2021 assessed value
different payment options to live clerk. The service is fast and efficient – questions are only increased by 1.4 percent to $216,409 from $213,421
accommodate their lifestyle, answered immediately. It’s “on-the-go” support! Support can in the prior year due to the SOH assessment cap. In this
relieving their stress and be accessed from anywhere on any smart device and appeals example, the 2021 SOH benefit is $96,339 ($312,748
lessening the financial to our tech savvy customers. market value less $216,409 assessed value), the amount
burden. Let’s talk about We can now communicate with non-English speaking you will not pay taxes on.
property tax, since usually that is an individual’s largest bill. customers with automatic translation. No more the burden The calculation will vary for
Almost $4.6 million in net income was earned this year above of finding translators for the uncommon languages, since properties with an agricultural
our operating costs by our office (an amazing amount because artificial intelligence provides us with translation in all classification. Please contact our
of issues with COVID-19) through effective management, languages. Customers can speak to us in their preferred office for your actual SOH benefit.
increased efficiencies, and motivated teamwork. The funds language and the communication is instantly translated to
were distributed to the taxing authorities of Martin County English. When we respond back to them, it is instantaneously
to help keep the burden of the taxes off our rooftops. translated back to them in their preferred language, making
The option that gives you the lowest cost is to pay your for a more welcoming and satisfying interaction.
entire property tax bill in the 4 percent discount period in We continue to provide efficiencies and better conveniences
one lump sum; however, some people are unable to come for our taxpayers!
up with that large amount of money at one time.
The best alternative if the individual needs to make CHarity News
payments is the installment plan. This plan almost gives you
the same cost as paying the entire bill at one time, except you
are paying your taxes in advance. The first year installments
may be a little difficult, unless you are a new property owner Mariner Sands Charity system, and domestic violence. The transformational impact for
and choose this option for your first tax bill, but once the children who participate in nontraditional approaches to mental
property is put on the installment cycle, this option really Week Awards Equine health care such as equine therapy and music therapy are truly
gives you almost the same value as paying one lump sum, Therapy Grant To Hibiscus amazing.
while you make four smaller payments instead of one large Kristi Huddleston is the founder/president of Harmony Hope
lump payment. Children’s Center Stables and works with a terrific team who help the children
For individuals who are self-employed or live on straight learn about horses while building self-esteem and confidence and
commission, we offer a partial payment plan. On this plan Hibiscus Children’s Center is pleased to announce it has learn how to self-regulate and learn life skills, such as how both
the taxpayer may make as many payments and any amount received a generous $25,000 grant from Mariner Sands Charity horses and children benefit from a calm, composed and relaxed
they can afford, as long as the entire amount is paid in full Week for Equine and Music Therapy. Mariner Sands Charity atmosphere. When a child is learning how to properly walk a
by April 1. If unable to pay the full amount on time, by Week is the giving spirit of the Mariner Sands Community, 1,200-pound horse, it definitely builds confidence! The Hibiscus
making a partial payment, the required delinquent penalty which has been generously supporting Hibiscus since 2008. children participating in this special program have expressed it
will be computed on a lower amount. If unable to pay the full Jack Flanagan, president of Mariner Sands Charity and Interim best, “I like how it is quiet and peaceful to deal with the horses”;
amount plus the penalties before the tax certificate sale, the Grants Committee chair, shared, “We are thrilled to be a part “Sometimes my mind is full of negative thoughts and being with
amount of the certificate sold on the property will be lower; of an innovative program to reach kids in a positive way and the horses helps my mind be quiet”; “I like being with the horses
therefore, the taxpayer will be paying interest to a certificate be instrumental in making it happen. It’s rare to be in on such a because they don’t judge me”; and “If I am sad when I go see
holder on a lower amount. The downside to this plan is that novel and exciting program and make a difference for children.” the horses, I feel happy when I see them.”
the individual loses all discounts and each payment made Therapeutic and healing services can be provided in Hibiscus Children’s Center is deeply grateful to Mariner
requires an additional $10 fee. many forms. Mental health counseling is a main component Sands Charity Week for their ongoing support of the children in
We also offer several different payment options. The of the intervention services provided at the Tilton Family our care and this wonderful grant that will enhance the children’s
quickest, easiest, and cheapest is online. Scanning the QR Children’s Center in Jensen Beach. Equine and music therapy mental health and overall well-being. For more information about
code on your tax bill will take you directly to your own is a new, innovative therapeutic approach that will bring Hibiscus Children’s Center and how you can get involved to help
tax bill on our website to make a payment. If you’ve lost transformational healing for children and reach them in a children, please visit us at hibiscuschildrenscenter.org or contact
or misplaced your bill, just go to our home page on https:// way traditional therapies cannot. Michelle King, CDO, at (561) 452-5791.
martintaxcollector.com, click on Payment Menu, and our The abused, abandoned and neglected
pay hub will come up with a page where you can easily pay children living at the Tilton Center and children
any of our online services, or just call #TAX or 288-5600 who are referred through Hibiscus’ Community
and request your tax bill to be emailed to you. E-checks are Mental Health Program in Martin County
free. Credit cards are also offered online; however, the credit participate in the Harmony and Horses Program
card processing company charges a 2.5 percent convenience with Harmony Hope Stables in Palm City. This
fee, which we get no part of. We also offer a private personal unique partnership is an expansion and welcomed
link for “confidential” taxpayers. addition to Hibiscus Children’s Center’s current
Payment may be made by mail (postmark determines the mental health program for children.
discount period), dropped off at our drive-through window The devastating effects of child abuse go far
at the Palm City branch, dropped off in our convenient beyond its immediate physical and emotional
drop boxes at all of our four locations or in our after-hours impact on the child. The impact permeates
24/7/365 lockbox at our drive-through window at the Palm throughout the child’s entire life cycle. Abused
City location. children show higher rates of school delinquency
For those taxpayers who like to walk in and hand-deliver and failure, drug and alcohol abuse, teen
their tax payment, we are ready and staffed to take your pregnancy, early entry into the criminal justice
payments quickly and efficiently. We have a “Tax Payment
Express” office set up in our business collections department
at our Willoughby location. (Next to our DMV office). Please
look for the large blue banner.
A taxpayer may walk into any of our four convenient
locations and we are ready to serve you. Express lines are
set up at all four offices: Hobe Sound, Palm City, Stuart,
and Indiantown. Our customer wait time can be viewed live
on our website. We are here and waiting to serve and help
with whatever option you choose. We offer new contactless
payment options in the main office and branches which
include cash, check, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay,
credit card, and pin debit, with point-to-point encryption for
your security.
We continue to look for efficiencies, conveniences, and
ways to best serve the taxpayers better and save tax dollars
while improving services. Make the best choice for you!
Using your mobile device’s camera, scan this QR code
and visit us on the Web, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.