Page 12 - Martin Downs Bulletin - March '24

Page 12, Martin Downs

loCal GovernMent

Presidential Preference Ruth Pietruszewski, Martin property taxes provides the county, school board, and

Primary Election County Tax Collector, municipalities the revenue to provide necessary services
for Martin County taxpayers. Tax certificates assist in
Reminds Taxpayers That funding the government’s expenses in the interim time
The Presidential Preference taxes are delinquent. The system for collecting delinquent
Primary (PPP) will take place Taxes Become Delinquent ad valorem property taxes is defined in great detail in
on Tuesday, March 19 and will the Florida Statutes, Attorney General’s Opinions, and
be for registered Republican The Same Time Every Year – April 1 Department of Revenue’s rules and regulations, per F.S.
voters only. For even the most 197.122, F.S. 197.332, F.S. 197.343, F.S. 197.402, F.S.
seasoned voters, the PPP can Real property taxes 197.403, F.S. 197.432.
be a little mysterious and seem become delinquent April 1 A tax certificate is valid for seven years from the
to catch voters by surprise. of each year. Please help date of issuance. The holder may apply for a tax deed
For starters, it only occurs keep your cost and the when two or more years have elapsed since the date of
once every four years, and is cost of your government delinquency. If the property owner fails to pay the tax
the first step in which Florida down by paying your debt, the property tax deed is sold at public auction. In
voters will begin the process property taxes on time. order to remove the lien, the property owner must pay the
of electing the President of the United States. At that time, 3 percent tax collector all delinquent taxes plus accrued interest,
Florida is one of approximately a dozen states that hold closed interest and advertising penalties and advertising fees. The tax collector then
primaries. That means only voters who are registered members of fees are added to the gross notifies the certificate holder of any certificates redeemed
Florida’s two major political parties may vote for respective party tax. A list of all real estate and a refund check is then issued to the certificate holder.
candidates. Since the state Democratic Party already selected property with delinquent Although it is a secure investment in most cases, there
its candidate for the party’s nomination for president, only the taxes is advertised once a week for three consecutive is an element of risk in purchasing tax certificates. F.S.
Republican Party will hold a statewide presidential primary. Our weeks in a local newspaper during the month of May. The 197.472(2) states that tax lien certificates are guaranteed
presidential primary is held on the same day as Arizona, Illinois, advertisement specifies the place, date and time of the tax an interest rate return of a flat (non-accruing) 5 percent
Kansas, and Ohio. certificate sale. This advertised information is required or your bid, on an APR basis, whichever is greater.
We have received many questions from voters concerning by Florida law and is not intended to be embarrassing or
the presidential candidates who have dropped out of the race or intimidating. The notice serves as a reminder to contact Warning To Property Owners – Tax Deed
suspended their campaigns. If a candidate did not submit a formal this office immediately for payment, if your taxes have Deadline Approaching
withdrawal to the state of Florida before Dec. 12, 2023, their not been paid for the 2022 tax roll. Current law provides
name must remain on the ballot. A vote cast for any candidate that taxes on these listed properties will be recovered Please be advised that any 2020 taxes that remain
appearing on the ballot will count as a vote cast for the candidate. through the sale of tax certificates. unpaid from our June 1, 2021 tax certificate sale will be
As a voter, you need to determine how you wish to vote in Beginning on or before June 1, the tax collector at risk because they are eligible to go to tax deed on April
this election, if you are eligible. The state of Florida has three is required by law to hold a tax certificate sale. The 1, 2023. Any years prior to 2020 are already eligible for
ways in which a voter may elect to cast their vote: certificates represent liens on all unpaid real estate tax deed. Once a tax deed is applied for, all taxes and
Option No. 1 Vote By Mail properties. The sale allows citizens to buy certificates by extra fees will be due.
If you need to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the March 19 paying the owed tax debt. The sale is held online. To prevent the tax deed process on 2020 taxes, a full
election, you must do so by 5 p.m. on March 9. The request may A tax certificate, when purchased, becomes an payment must be received by our office no later than
be made by calling the Elections Office at (772) 288-5637 or by enforceable first lien against the real estate. The certificate March 31, 2023. Postmark does not apply. All payments
visiting us online at MartinVotes.gov. holder is actually paying the taxes for a property owner must be in the form of a cashier’s check, money order,
Option No. 2 Vote Early in exchange for a competitive bid rate of return on his or cash (if paying in person). Please do not mail cash to
Early voting will occur Saturday, March 9 through Saturday, investment. They make it possible for the owner(s) our office.
March 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in three central locations: of real property to allow ad valorem property taxes to If a tax certificate holder chooses to take the property
• Martin County Elections Center, 135 S.E. Martin Luther become delinquent and continue to use their property to tax deed, it will be sold at public auction if any taxes
King Jr. Blvd., Stuart for two years (or more) before actually paying the bill remain unpaid. Please remember the deadline for 2020
• Hobe Sound Library, 10595 S.E. Federal Highway, (plus interest and costs). During this period, investors taxes is March 31, 2023 and tax certificates issued prior to
Hobe Sound pay the delinquent tax bills at negotiated rates of interest June 1, 2019 are already eligible for tax deed application.
• Elisabeth Lahti Library, 15200 S.W. Thelma Waters lending the delinquent property owners money in order Any questions, please call our Tax Department at (772)
Ave., Indiantown to continue using their property before paying the bill 288-5749.
Option No. 3 Election Day or surrendering the title to the property. The payment of
March 19 is your last opportunity to cast your vote. Voters
who choose to vote on Election Day must cast their vote in their
assigned polling place. Polling precincts will be open from 7 DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE
a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. There have been a few polling
location changes and those voters have been mailed new Voter
Information Cards. To confirm your assigned polling location,
visit us online at MartinVotes.gov or call the Elections Office at
(772) 288-5637. Treasure Coast Hospice
See you at the polls! A TREASURE HEALTH SERVICE
Vicki Davis,
Martin County Supervisor of Elections
We’re Here When You Need Us

HOSPICE CARE
Providing exceptional care to patients in their homes,
hospitals, assisted living residences, and in our
Answer for Inpatient Units.

Crossword Puzzle GRIEF SUPPORT
Grief counseling for our patients, their families, and
anyone in our community who has experienced the
loss of a loved one.
PEDIATRIC CARE
Our specialized pediatric team helps families
overcome the challenges of caring for a child with a
serious illness.

Proudly Serving Our Community

Treasure Coast Hospice has earned the
Gold Seal of Approval for hospice accreditation
®
from The Joint Commission.

24/7 772-403-4500 VISIT US ON THE WEB
www.TreasureHealth.org

Licensed since 1982. Treasure Coast Hospice complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a
su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 772-403-4500. (Spanish) ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 772-403-4500. (French Creole).