Page 12 - Boca Club News - October '23

Page 12, Boca Club News
Memo from County Tax Collector Anne M. Gannon: Are

You Sure You Can Vote in the 2024 Elections? Check Here.

By Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional value is multiplied by reservations to make reservations. Before you visit, perform
Tax Collector serving Palm Beach the millage rate set by a free driver license check-up at www.flhsmv.gov/driver-
County. You can reach her office each ad valorem taxing licenses-id-cards/ to see if you have any stops, holds or
by Email: ClientAdvocate@ authority for properties violations. Clearances can be processed at our office if you
taxcollectorpbc.com. Phone: (561) within their boundaries. bring the required documentation. If English is not your first
355-4271. Since Fred lives in West language, you have the option of bringing a person with you
Did you know that new election Palm Beach, the millage rate in 2022 was 21.0796 for every to your scheduled reservation to assist you with translating.
laws mandate that voters must renew $1,000 of taxable value. His $150,000 taxable value is then Please note, while they may assist with translation they may
their mail ballot requests every General divided by $1,000, which equals 150 and then multiplied by not assist while you take any required tests, such as the driver
Election cycle? That means, any Vote-By-Mail ballot requests the 21.0796 millage rate, resulting in Fred’s Ad Valorem taxes license written exam. State regulations require that these tests
made prior to the November 8th, 2022 General Election have totaling $3,161.94. only be completed by the applicant.
expired; therefore, you must complete a new Vote-By-Mail Step 4. Annual Taxes. Next, non-ad valorem assessments Finance Team Honored with Awards. I am especially
ballot request for the 2024 elections. My fellow Palm Beach are added and determined by the levying authority using a proud of my Finance & Budget team for being awarded the
County Constitutional Officer, Wendy Sartory Link, Supervisor unit measure to calculate the cost of services. For example, Certificate of Merit for Audit by the Florida Tax Collectors
of Elections, has produced a very informative video that details Solid Waste Authority fees are based on the type of property Association. This award recognizes our office’s achievement
what you need to know about requesting a Vote-By-Mail producing the waste. In 2022, Fred’s fee was $200, which for a 2021-22 audit, clear of any findings–in other words, a
ballot. I encourage you to visit https://youtu.be/ZyNtsgJ-nyo is added to $3,161.94 totaling his annual property taxes at perfect audit!
to watch this important video and then submit your Vote-By- $3,361.94. In addition, the team was recently awarded the 2023 Legacy
Mail ballot request online at www.VotePalmBeach.gov or by In Fiscal Year 2021/2022, our office collected Award for Financial Operations by the Florida Tax Collector’s
calling Wendy’s office at (561) 656-6208. $4,476,481,220 in property taxes and distributed those monies Association. This award recognizes the innovation and
The 2024 election cycle will be here before you know it, to the local taxing authorities to provide essential services to automation the team developed for a new process to regularly
so now is the time to request your Vote-By-Mail ballot! the residents of Palm Beach County. post outstanding or uncashed checks on the tax collector’s
How Your Taxes Are Calculated. Have you ever Ready to Renew…Here’s What to Do. You’ve received website so that clients can visit the website 24/7 to see if they
wondered how your property taxes are calculated? It can be a the notice in the mail it’s time to renew your driver license; potentially have any unclaimed funds with our office. This
complicated process, but we are here to help make it simple! what now? If your license is REAL ID compliant (look for new process lists roughly 2,300-3,000 outstanding checks on
Step 1. Assessment. Let’s look at an example – Fred lives the gold star in the upper right corner), and you have not used the website at any given time, which negates the need to mail
in a single-family home in West Palm Beach. His home is your one-time online convenience renewal, and you have no notices to individuals thus reducing our monthly postage costs
assessed by the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser at stops, holds or other violations on your license, then an online by more than $1,300!
$200,000. renewal is your easiest and fastest option. Visit www.pbctax. To find out if you may have unclaimed funds with our
Step 2. Exemption. Fred has a Homestead exemption which com/driver-license to renew! office, visit https://www.pbctax.com/unclaimed-funds/.
reduces the taxable value of his home by $50,000, resulting If you are not REAL ID compliant or have a stop, hold Congratulations to my Chief Financial Officer, Carmen
in a total taxable value of $150,000. Remember, a Homestead or violation on your driver license, you will need to make a C. Richardson, and her innovative and dedicated team for the
exemption limits the tax rate increase to 3% per year. reservation and visit one of our service centers. Reservations tremendous work they do to ensure we are fiscally responsible
Step 3. Ad Valorem Taxes. The $150,000 taxable fill up quickly so don’t delay! Visit www.pbctax.com/ and delivering exceptional service to our clients.
Protect Yourself and Your Neighbors from Potential Jury

or Court Scams

By Joseph Abruzzo, Clerk of the You may be pressured to stay on the phone to purchase a About the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller,
Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm money order, pre-paid debit card or a gift card. Ignore their Palm Beach County. The Clerk of the Circuit Court &
Beach County. Clerk Abruzzo serves request and simply hang up. If asked to do so, please do not Comptroller is Palm Beach County’s protector of public
as the county’s protector of public leave your home or place of work to meet the caller at any money and records including marriage licenses, court
records and public funds. He was location, including your local courthouse or sheriff’s office. documents, financial reports and real estate records. Visit
elected in November 2020 and When in doubt, after the call you can search through www.mypalmbeachclerk.com and find us @ClerkPBC on
sworn into office on January 5th, our public court records to see if there is any open case or Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
2021. Prior to his election, Clerk document you may need to reach out to us about.
Abruzzo served in the Florida Remember, Clerk staff will never call and threaten you
Legislature for a decade, serving in both the Florida with any action or demand payment. You can always reach
House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. He out to my expert team for any questions.
proudly served in the United States Coast Guard Reserves
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