Page 12 - Martin Downs Bulletin - February '24
P. 12

Page 12, Martin Downs

                                              loCal GovernMenT



      Tuesday, Feb. 20 Is The Last Day                    A tax certificate, when purchased, becomes an    defined  in  great  detail  in  the  Florida  statutes,  attorney

      To Change Party Or Register                       enforceable first lien against the real estate. The certificate   general’s opinions, and Department of Revenue’s rules and
                                                        holder is actually paying the taxes for a property owner
                                                                                                           regulations, per F.S. 197.122, F.S. 197.332, F.S. 197.343,
      To Vote For The Republican                        in exchange for a competitive bid rate of return on his   F.S. 197.402, F.S. 197.403, F.S. 197.432.
                                                                                                             A tax certificate is valid for seven years from the date of
                                                        investment. They make it possible for the owner(s) of real
      Presidential Primary                              property to allow ad valorem property taxes to become   issuance. The holder may apply for a tax deed when two or
                                                        delinquent and continue to use their property for two years   more years have elapsed since the date of delinquency. If
        Vicki Davis, Martin                             (or more) before actually paying the bill (plus interest and   the property owner fails to pay the tax debt, the property tax
      County Supervisor of                              costs). During this period, investors pay the delinquent tax   deed is sold at public auction.  In order to remove the lien,
      Elections, is reminding                           bills at negotiated rates of interest lending the delinquent   the property owner must pay the tax collector all delinquent
      citizens  that  all  new                          property owners money in order to continue using their   taxes plus accrued interest, penalties and advertising fees.
      registrations or party                            property before paying the bill or surrendering the title to   The tax collector then notifies the certificate holder of any
      affiliation changes must                          the property. The payment of property taxes provides the   certificates redeemed and a refund check is then issued to
      be completed on or before                         county, school board and municipalities the revenue to   the certificate holder. Although it is a secure investment in
      Tuesday, Feb. 20, for them                        provide necessary services for Martin County taxpayers.   most cases, there is an element of risk in purchasing tax
      to be effective for the March                     Tax certificates assist in funding the government’s expenses   certificates. F.S. 197.472(2) states that tax lien certificates
      19 Presidential Preference                        in the interim time taxes are delinquent. The system   are guaranteed an interest rate return of a flat (nonaccruing)
      Primary (PPP) election.                           for collecting delinquent ad valorem property taxes is   5 percent or your bid, on an APR basis, whichever is greater.
        The PPP is part of the
      presidential nominating process for Florida’s two major
      political parties. The Democratic Party has declared their
      nominee, President Joe Biden. Therefore, this election is
      only for voters registered with the Republican Party to
      determine which candidate will represent the party on the
      General Election ballot in November.
        Following these helpful tips will ensure you are ready    YOUR FIRST CHOICE
      for the upcoming PPP election:
        •  Florida  is  a  closed  primary  state. You  must  be
      registered with your political party of choice 29 days
      before the election. A voter is not eligible to select a party                       FOR A
      on Election Day.
        • If you wish to vote in a partisan primary election,
      you must be a registered voter in the party for which the
      primary is being held.
        • All party changes and new registrations must be made      SECOND
      on or before Tuesday, Feb. 20.
        • Voters are encouraged to check their voter registration
      status online by visiting MartinVotes.gov and clicking on
      the “Check My Voter Status” tab.
        • Citizens may register to vote or update your voter
      record online at www.RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov or visit
      the Elections Office located at 135 S.E. Martin Luther      OPINION
      King, Jr. Blvd., Stuart. Office hours are Monday through
      Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
        If you need further information or have questions,
      please contact the Elections Office at (772) 288-5637 or
      visit our website at www.MartinVotes.gov.
                                           Vicki Davis,
                     Martin County Supervisor of Elections






                                                                                  CHOOSE A LEADER

      Martin County Tax Collector,                                              IN CARDIAC SURGERY

      Reminds Taxpayers That
      Taxes Become Delinquent                                             Second opinions save lives. That’s why Cleveland Clinic


      The Same Time Every Year – April 1                                  Martin Health is your first choice for a second opinion
                                                                            on cardiac surgery. With minimally invasive options
      By Ruth Pietruszewski,                                                and shortened recovery times, our heart surgeons
      Martin County Tax Collector                                          provide world class care on the Treasure Coast. From
        Real property taxes
      become delinquent April 1                                            pioneering research to cardiovascular surgery, trust
      of each year.  Please help                                               our heart experts for every care in the world.
      keep your cost and the
      cost of your government
      down by paying your                                                      Call 855.881.1972 to schedule an appointment.
      property  taxes  on time.
      At that time, 3 percent
      interest and advertising
      fees are added to the gross                                             ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/HeartSurgery
      tax. A list of all real estate property with delinquent taxes
      is advertised once a week for three consecutive weeks
      in a local newspaper during the month of May.  The
      advertisement specifies the place, date and time of the tax
      certificate sale. This advertised information is required
      by Florida law and is not intended to be embarrassing or
      intimidating. The notice serves as a reminder to contact
      this office immediately for payment if your taxes have not
      been paid for the 2022 tax roll. Current law provides that
      taxes on these listed properties will be recovered through
      the sale of tax certificates.
        Beginning on or before June 1, the tax collector
      is required by law to hold a tax certificate sale. The
      certificates represent liens on all unpaid real estate
      properties. The sale allows citizens to buy certificates by
      paying the owed tax debt. The sale is held online.
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