Page 14 - Abacoa Community News - July '23

Page 14, Abacoa
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office

Dear Taxpayer: In this month’s newsletter: an update on the 2023 tax roll
Happy Independence process, some interesting stats regarding our new residents,
Day! Recently, my office and the status of applications for exemptions and classification.
announced the award of Have a happy and safe Independence Day.
six college scholarships of Respectfully,
$1,500 each to outstanding Dorothy Jacks, CFA, AAS,
high school seniors in Palm Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Beach County.
• Kia Ghods – Graduating 2023 Tax Roll Update
from Florida Atlantic High
School, attending Princeton July is an important month as my office submits the 2023
University preliminary tax roll to Florida’s Department of Revenue
• Maya Lopez – Graduating from Atlantic Community (DOR) and the local taxing authorities. Values are based on
High School, attending the University of Florida the status of market as of Jan. 1.
• E’Rinze Murphy – Graduating from Glades Central According to my office’s estimates delivered at the end
High School, attending Florida Southern College of May, Palm Beach County-wide taxable property values
• Inari Larios – Graduating from Royal Palm Beach have increased 13.36 percent from 2022 to 2023. The overall
Community High School, attending Florida Atlantic increase in value is similar to what we saw last year. It is
University driven by continued demand for properties of all types and
• Jayden James – Graduating from Palm Beach Lakes near record new construction.
High School, attending Oakwood University Highlights include:
• Zavion Gillyard – Graduating from Glades Central High • Market Value – $481,467,712,919
School, attending Morehouse College • Taxable Value – $288,752,577,607
In addition to receiving a scholarship award, each was • Net New Construction – $4,311,391,070
offered an opportunity to participate in a paid summer • Percent Increase (taxable value) – 13.36 percent Application Status For
internship in my office. It’s really a joy to reward these • Real Property Parcels – 652,953
incredible students. They have demonstrated excellence • Total Tangible Personal Property Accounts – 58,709 Exemptions, Portability,
in academic ability, persistence, leadership, and service to Once the tax roll receives approval from Florida’s DOR,
others. Congratulations to each of them and congratulations my office will notify all property owners of both their home Agricultural Classifications
to the entire Class of 2023. value and proposed tax rate in the Notice of Proposed
The scholarship program is very special to my office. Property Taxes mailed mid-August. While state law requires Have you submitted an application for an exemption,
Since 1994, the property appraiser’s office has awarded my office to value property based on the status of the market, portability or agricultural classification? My office is processing
$170,000 in college scholarships, completely funded by your tax rate is set by taxing authorities who answer to you. these applications and will begin status notifications. If denied,
employee donations. Their public meetings are listed in your notice. you have the right to file a petition for adjustment with the Value
Adjustment Board (VAB) through the Clerk of the Circuit Court
Where Do New PBC & Comptroller. They can be reached at (561) 355-6289.

Homesteaders Come From? Property Tax Exemptions And Portability
If you submitted an application on or before March 1 and

your application was denied, a Notice of Denial will be mailed
When a new Palm Beach County resident files for on June 28. The deadline to file a petition with the VAB for an
a homestead exemption, my office collects information exemption is 5 p.m. on July 28. The deadline to file a petition
about their previous home site to ensure that there is for the denial of a portability benefit is 5 p.m. on Sept. 12. For
no homestead fraud. That information also offers an questions about exemptions or portability, contact Exemption
interesting look into what states our new neighbors used Services at (561) 355-2866 or MyExemption@pbcgov.org.
to call home. Agricultural Classification
Over the course of 2022, we had 27,357 new residents Notifications of the status of your application will be
file for homestead exemptions that came from outside of mailed out on June 28. If your agricultural classification
Palm Beach County, compared to 31,431 the previous year. application is denied, the deadline to file a petition with the
2023 Scholarship Awardees: Top left to right: E’Rinze The vast majority of new homesteaders in 2022 were from VAB is 5 p.m. on July 28. For agricultural classification
Murphy, Inari Larios, Jayden James. Bottom left to right: other parts of Florida, accounting for about 73 percent of questions, contact the Agriculture Department at (561) 355-
Kia Ghods, Maya Lopez, Zavion Gillyard filed applications. 4577 or MyFarm@pbcgov.org.
Commissioner’s Update

Protecting And Enhancing snorkeling, and to protect our natural reefs from overuse. prefabricated modules, underwater art and ship hulls.

This year’s artificial reef project plan involves a multi-
The materials include limestone, concrete, and occasionally
Our Reefs decommissioned ships that become marine habitats. The partner effort. For instance, the Florida Department of
Department of Environmental Resources Management has Transportation is donating material removed from the
By Commissioner deployed over 49 vessels, 110,000 tons of concrete, and Earman Canal bridge renovation project in North Palm Beach
Maria Marino 140,000 tons of limestone boulders to create artificial reefs. to a reef project 75 feet offshore of South Palm Beach.
Within Palm Beach The artificial reefs become new substrate for coral One of PBC’s key artificial reef partners – the Andrew
County’s 47-mile Atlantic settlement and diversify habitat in otherwise sandy areas. “Red” Harris Foundation – will deploy three to four reefs in
coastline lies part of the Once established, they provide the same food, shelter, 70 to 80 feet of water offshore of Juno Beach. This project
only living barrier coral reef protection and marine life spawning areas as the natural reefs. will consist of at least 1,000 tons of limestone boulders and
system in the continental Both natural and artificial reefs support our local 500 tons of concrete culverts. This material – all donated –
United States. Florida’s economy, generating over $280 million per year and will be located near an existing artificial reef train in the Juno
Coral Reef stretches 360 supporting approximately 3,000 annual jobs. Beach permitted area.
miles from the St. Lucie Inlet Funding for PBC’s artificial reef program comes The artificial reef program is a prime example of Palm
south to the Dry Tortugas, from vessel registration fees, grants from federal and Beach County’s commitment to stewardship of our natural
formed thousands of years state agencies, donations from fishing clubs, local dive resources by creating new habitat.
ago. The reefs are lush with coral and limestone, shipwrecks, associations, corporations and individuals. Nonmonetary As always, please contact me if I can assist you at (561)
and a wide range of sea life. Because of our close proximity support includes donated reef material such as concrete, 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.
to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, Palm Beach County
is home to one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the
country. Sewer & Drain Cleaning • Service • Repair • Remodeling Specialist
Natural reefs support aquatic plants and animals by
providing food and refuge for young marine life to develop.
The reefs protect our coastline by absorbing wave energy. As
we enter another hurricane season, it is important to note that
this absorption helps prevent loss of life, property damage,
and erosion, particularly in strong storm events.
For more than 40 years, Palm Beach County (PBC) has
worked to create artificial reefs using various materials
to give the public additional areas for fishing, diving and

Residential & Commercial
Licensed & Insured/Over 30 Years Experience

“Where Professional Quality & Service Always Make the Difference”