Page 2 - PGA Community News- November '23

Page 2, PGA C.A.N.! November 2023 November 2023
Commissioner’s Update

Budgeting To Reduce Your reduction in the millage rate this year to 4.50 mils, so that fund to provide the budget for the sheriff and other
constitutional officers, judicial facilities and technology,
taxpayers can realize more savings.
Tax Burden This reduction allows us to keep a hefty level of reserve county departments, capital projects, agency partners who
funds. The county’s conservative approach to keeping assist the public, and to community development agencies
By Commissioner significant reserves helps us maintain a AAA rating, that reinvest in their infrastructure. The remaining 28
Maria Marino which is the highest credit designation assigned to bond percent pays for fire rescue, libraries and debt service.
Preparing a balanced issuers by rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s and Feedback from the District 1 communities has made it
county budget takes more Fitch. Reserves enable us to respond to emergencies and clear that reducing the county tax rate is a trend we need
than covering expenditures unanticipated expenditures without chipping away at to follow.
with revenues. It requires a services residents rely on. Thank you all for your continued input and please
focus on providing essential Of the total gross budget of $7.9 billion, projected feel free to contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at
services to our residents, total property tax revenue is $1.9 billion. Approximately mmarino@pbcgov.org.
from garbage pickup and 72 percent of the property tax revenue is for the general
disposal, to striping roads,
to assisting low-income
utilities on, to preserving our beaches and natural areas. Community Safety
elderly folks keep their
We must use precision to create efficiencies and eliminate
any waste in our budget in the interest of lessening the By Keith Echols, the phone if you are unfamiliar with them or have never
tax burden on the property owners in this community and Director of Security, done business with them in the past.
helping households make ends meet. St. Moritz Security Services Applying these safety tips to your day-to-day routines
Property taxes make up roughly 25 percent of the Now that the holiday season is upon us, your sense can contribute to maintaining a safe holiday season not
operating budget and public safety takes up the largest of safety and protection should be at a heightened state. only for you, but also for the entire community. Together
portion. Departments covering airports and water utilities Crooks will be working harder than ever to scam you out we can make a difference. Never hesitate to call security
are enterprise funds, not funded primarily by property of your money, steal your packages from your porch or at (561) 627-1600. Report all suspicious people and
taxes. Per Florida Statutes, the other funds on the balance your vehicle. Always secure your vehicle, and never leave activities because the smallest piece of information may
sheet include the general fund, special revenue funds valuables in plain sight. Be mindful of the number of be the biggest part of the solution. Keep your garage door
restricted or committed to a specific purpose, debt service packages you have delivered to your home if you are out closed when not in use and set your alarm when you leave
funds, capital projects, and internal services. of town. Never give anyone or any company money over your home. Happy holidays!
With a population of just over 1.5 million, nearly half
of our residents live in the unincorporated area.
After 11 years with a millage rate of 4.7815, the
commission last year approved a reduction to 4.715, the
rate applied to each $1,000 of taxable property value.
As new residents have continued to make Palm Beach
County their home, tax revenue has increased at a rate of
more than 13 percent over the past year. With more money
coming into the county coffers, I proposed and achieved Why should a financial
unanimous consent from the Board to approve a further
review be at the top
Editorial Board of your list?

Editor: James A. Cioffi There may be opportunities for your investments
james@jcclaw.com to be working harder for you. Let’s work together
Feature Writers: Dawn Levinstein, POA to make sure your financial strategy is optimized.
Gail Coppage, POA Contact us today for a complimentary review.
Commissioner Maria Marino Sally S Stahl, AAMS™
Katie Roundtree
Contributing Financial Advisor
Reporter: Don Kiselewski 1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106
Jupiter, FL 33458
Your editors strongly believe that the number 561-748-7600
of people who do become involved with any Sally.Stahl@edwardjones.com
news medium directly reflects on that medium’s
excellence, versatility and broad viewpoint.
Therefore, we invite PGA residents to contribute
articles or current, timely news items and/or
“Letters to the Editors.”
Articles/letters are subject to editing and editors’
right to publish. Submission must include writer’s
name, address and telephone number. Unsigned articles
/letters will not be published. Opposing views to article
viewpoints contained in this paper are welcome.
Articles do not necessarily represent the viewpoint
of the C.A.N.! organization. Submissions should Upscale Resale
be mailed or delivered by the tenth of each month
for the following month’s publication (example: by Experience The Difference
January 10 for February publication) to:
C.A.N.! Editors New and consigned furniture, unique lighting, accessories and gifts.
or
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regarding submissions, fax (561) 627-9088 or e-mail
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