Page 14 - Boca Exposure - February '24

Page 14, Boca Exposure
Mayor’s Update: I’m Not Running This Time,

But Please Vote On March 19

Scott Singer is the 35th I am not on the ballot this cycle, having won re-election • Mail-in ballots will be sent by the time you read this.
Mayor of Boca Raton and in 2023, but I still encourage all residents to vote and make You can still request a mail-in ballot through March 7.
was re-elected in 2023. your voice heard. Council Member Yvette Drucker faces Please note that if you previously voted by mail, you will
A South Florida native, a challenger for Seat C, and Seat D has former Council still have to refresh your request for mail-in ballots if you
attorney, mediator, and Member Andy Thomson seeking to return to service against did not do so in 2023. Many people have yet to do so, as
small business owner, Scott repeat candidate Brian Stenberg. there was no national and statewide election in 2023. You
and his wife Bella live in For decades in poll after poll, the level of government can also do so at pbcelections.org.
Broken Sound with their two that ranks consistently as the most trusted is the local level • As stated above, early in-person voting will take
young children. of government. We work in our communities and are seen place from March 9 to 17, but usually not at your election-
While the nation may be day to day by neighbors. Another bonus in Florida, like day polling place. You can easily find all locations at
focused on the Presidential many states, is that our elections are nonpartisan, reflecting pbcelections.org.
Primary, an important the old adage that there is no Republican or Democratic Please take the few minutes to exercise your rights.
election is happening for all Boca Raton residents on March way to pick up the trash. Yet, municipal elections tend to Our republic remains strong and free only through the
19 – our City Council elections. The elections are open to have lower than 15 percent turnout. Please be an important concerted effort of everyday patriots who take time to

all voters, regardless of party, and are nonpartisan. Because part of the process – with low turnout your vote matters participate in our processes. I look forward to continuing
they coincide with the Presidential Primary, there will be all the more! to work with my City Council colleagues to move our city
early voting from March 9 to 17 at various locations in Palm Some important notes and deadlines: forward. Please reach out by email to ssinger@myboca.
Beach County, along with the standard mail-in voting and • You have until Feb. 20 to update your voter registration. us with any thoughts or requests. Thank you.
election-day voting on March 19 at your local precinct. You can do so at pbcelections.org.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser

Dear Taxpayer: to your assessed value to a maximum of 3 percent each year Portability – You Can Take
My office is busy or the amount of the change in the Consumer Price Index,
preparing the 2024 Tax whichever is lower. It With You!
Roll, a report of the There Are Three Ways To Apply
combined value of all the • E-file at pbcpao.gov If you sell your home and buy a new one, there is good
property (real and tangible) • Visit one of our five service centers to file in person news. – You may not lose all the tax savings accumulated
in Palm Beach County as of • Complete the application online, print it out, and mail it over the years.
Jan. 1. to the Property Appraiser’s Office Portability refers to Florida’s Save Our Homes
This report will reflect Once you qualify, your homestead exemption will be provision which allows you to transfer all or a significant
market data gleaned from renewed for you annually as long as you continue to qualify portion of your tax benefit, up to $500,000, from a home
property sales last year as for the exemption. with a homestead exemption to a new home within the
well as new construction, state of Florida that qualifies for a homestead exemption.
demolition, land splits, land combinations, ownership Additional Exemptions The application deadline for portability is March 1.
changes, and additions or removals of exemptions. You can e-file for portability when e-filing for your
The numbers cited below are as of Jan. 12 and are If you receive a homestead exemption, you may be eligible homestead exemption. Or, if you have already filed for a
subject to change. for additional exemptions or discounts in the categories homestead exemption and need only to file for portability,
Our estimates show a decrease in sales volume over listed below. The application deadline for all additional visit our website or call Exemption Services at (561)
last year, indicating a continued slowing in demand. exemptions is March 1. 355-2866.
• Commercial sales are down from 1,275 to 818 or • Civilian disability
35.8 percent. • Institutional exemptions Office Closed Due To
• Condo sales are down from 21,196 to 16,877 or 20.4 • Florida law enforcement and first responders (disabled
percent. in the line of duty) Holiday
• Residential sales are down from 21,638 to 17,846 or • Living quarters for parents or grandparents (also known
17.5 percent. as the granny flat) In honor of Presidents’ Day, the Palm Beach County
New construction reflects the growth of our county as • Senior citizen (limited-income) Property Appraiser’s Office (including all of our Service
an estimated 5,000 new structures will be added to the • Veterans disability Centers) will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19.
2024 Tax Roll. The rate of growth in single-family homes • Widow/widower exemption
remains unchanged from last year while more condos and For more information, visit pbcpao.gov or call Exemption
commercial buildings are projected to be added this year Services at (561) 355-2866.
than last.
• New Single-Family Homes – 3,566, almost no change
from 2023
• New Condominium Units – 968, up 26 percent from
2023
• New Commercial Buildings – 274, up 8.7 percent
from 2023
New construction numbers represent property that has
never been taxed before, adding new value to the 2024
Tax Roll. This contributes to the tax base while sharing Stylish Modern Atmosphere Make Reservations happy hour
the tax burden.
As the deadline to file for a homestead exemption Mon. - Thurs.
is March 1, this is an excellent time of year to review at Bar Only all Day
your homestead exemption status and examine additional Mon. - Fri. 3 - 6 pm
exemptions that may yield tax savings. In this month’s
newsletter, you will find information to help you do just Lunch SpeciaLS
that. I hope you find it useful.
Respectfully, every Day
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS,
$
Palm Beach County Property Appraisee starting at 11

Homestead Exemption On
Real Property

If you are a permanent Florida resident, you may be eligible
for a homestead exemption, which can save you generally
$750 to $1,000 in property taxes each year. All homestead
exemption applications must be submitted by March 1.
A $25,000 exemption is applied to the first $50,000 of your
property’s assessed value if your property is your permanent
residence and you owned the property as of Jan. 1. This
exemption applies to all taxes, including school district taxes.
An additional exemption of up to $25,000 will be applied if
your property’s assessed value is between at least $50,000
and $75,000. This exemption is not applied to school district
taxes. In addition, a homestead exemption limits any increase