Page 22 - Abacoa Community News - December '24

Page 22, Abacoa
Town Of Jupiter News

By Jim Kuretski, Ad Valorem Assessments to As clearly illustrated by this table, the Town of
Mayor, Town of Jupiter all property owners. These Jupiter has the lowest total ad valorem tax millage rate as
Ad Valorem Tax Rate – Benchmark Comparisons annual property tax bills are compared to the other ten municipalities, by significant
In early November each year, the Palm Beach County founded upon ad valorem dollar amounts. This has been the case for many years.
Tax Collector sends Notices of Ad Valorem Taxes and Non- tax millage rates set by This leadership distinction is attributable to the Town of
the various governmental Jupiter’s longstanding fiscal management practices.
taxing authorities within Controlling growth using the uniquely Jupiter way
Northern Notes from page 21 Palm Beach County. has resulted in better quality of life and lower taxes.
The net ad valorem Growth never pays for itself, and almost always results
rains, floodgates may be opened, and water levels taxes for municipal services in higher tax assessments. By way of example, West Palm
might be lowered to accommodate direct rainfall and within the Town of Jupiter Beach residents pay $400 more each year in ad valorem
accept inflows from the “secondary” systems. During represent less than 25 taxes for every $100,000 of their property appraised value.
and after heavy rains, excess water is routed through percent of the total annual tax bills. The table accompanying Growth management and fiscal management have been
all available “primary” waterways to regional storage this monthly news article provides a comparison of ad two hallmarks of my town council leadership efforts while
areas or coastal discharge points to relieve flooding as valorem tax millage rates for the ten North Palm Beach serving Town of Jupiter residents and businesses.
quickly and safely as possible. County municipalities and the City of West Palm Beach.
What can YOU do to help?
As a resident or business owner, you play a crucial North Palm Beach County Municipalities
role in flood control. Your actions can significantly impact
your community’s resilience to flooding. Here’s what you Ad Valorem Tax Rates - Benchmark Comparisons
can do:
1. Ensure your neighborhood’s drainage grates, FY24 Tax Rates:
ditches, and swales are debris-free. Operating + Debt + FR Services FY24 Tax Rates:
2. Remove loose items, including yard debris, from Municipality
your yard. Debris and litter can clog storm drains and Municipality Benchmark All Taxing Units
cause flooding. Rates Comparison
3. Check your community retention pond or lake for
obstructed pipes and contact the appropriate authority for Town of Jupiter 4.1236 Best-in-Class 17.0148
removal (this could be your HOA/POA, city, county, or Palm Beach Gardens 5.0537 123% 17.9449
local drainage district). Juno Beach 5.2776 128% 18.1688
4. Find out who is responsible for drainage in your
community. Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl. Note the Jupiter Inlet Colony 5.5600 135% 18.4512
service area status under the search results. It may not Tequesta 6.4595 157% 19.3507
be serviced even if the location is within an agency’s Palm Beach Shores 6.8420 166% 19.6603
jurisdiction.
As a homeowner or property owner association North Palm Beach 7.4900 182% 19.7494
official, you are a key player in the flood control Riviera Beach 8.3500 202% 20.6094
process. Your knowledge and actions can greatly Lake Park 8.6451 210% 20.9045
contribute to your community’s flood resilience. Here’s
what you can do: Mangonia Park 9.9000 240% 22.7183
1. Familiarize yourself with your particular drainage
system and how it fits into the overall South Florida West Palm Beach 8.1941 199% 20.4535
drainage picture.
2. Learn how the stormwater system works in your
area and how to properly maintain the facilities under
your responsibility.
3. Understand your community’s irrigation needs.
Turn off your irrigation before a storm. Return to normal
operating conditions after the storm. Remember, if the
ground is saturated, you may not have to irrigate for quite
some time after the storm.
Reporting the location and condition of any clogged
or damaged facilities is a crucial step in flood control.
By doing so, you are actively contributing to your
community’s flood resilience. Please make a note of
important telephone numbers and keep them handy for
quick reporting.
NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system
is not a garbage disposal — don’t treat it like one.
Encourage residents to take responsibility and to not
dump chemicals, fertilizer, paint, oil, etc., in inlets or
pipes. Discourage sweeping of lawn clippings and dirt
into street drains and disposing of lawn clippings and
other debris (wood, concrete blocks, Christmas trees, etc.)
directly into retention lakes. Keep drainage facilities clear
of vegetation, trash, improperly and illegally discarded
appliances, shopping carts, tires, cars, garbage bags, etc.