Page 21 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - December '24
P. 21
Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 21
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
ER To Remain Open During Renovations
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center’s emergency flow. This addition is particularly important as Palm specialized attention, Palm Beach Gardens Medical
department will remain open and fully operational as it Beach County experiences a population surge that has Center reinforces its commitment to ensuring residents
undergoes renovations designed to expand access and placed increased demands on local healthcare facilities. have access to quality care without prolonged wait times.
enhance the patient experience. As the longest-standing “With our highly trained team, we are focused on The ongoing upgrades at Palm Beach Gardens Medical
healthcare provider in the Palm Beach Gardens community, enhancing services and patient-centric care in meaningful Center also include a modernized building façade, new
the hospital is investing in these improvements to meet the ways that will allow our community to seek specialized patient rooms designed for comfort, expanded operating
needs of the area’s growing population while maintaining care close to home,” says Erik Cazares, CEO of Palm rooms equipped with the latest technology, and a new
its reputation for award-winning care. Beach Gardens Medical Center. “As the area’s population main lobby.
One of the key additions to the renovated emergency is rapidly growing, we’re continually optimizing our The commitment to accessible, quality healthcare
department will be a vertical care area, specifically facilities, technology, and clinical programs to support has been a cornerstone of Palm Beach Gardens Medical
designed for patients with less acute medical needs. This that growth.” Center’s mission. These renovations are a continuation
new area will streamline the treatment process, enabling The emergency department already boasts low wait of the hospital’s legacy, positioning it to better serve
patients to receive timely care and return home quicker, times, and these renovations aim to improve those the evolving needs of the community with the latest in
easing their experience and improving overall patient times even further. By providing patients with prompt, healthcare technology and patient care approaches.
Gifting Greatness With College Planning
By Peggy Forgan, M. Ed. Giving the gift of college planning to children and workshops, career assessment, applications, and scholarship
Give a high school grandchildren is a thoughtful and impactful way to support their opportunities. These services help your student become
aged loved one a college future success. As the cost of higher education continues to rise, positioned to succeed. The SAT prep courses are tailored
planning gift that will last many families feel the financial strain of paying for college. By to improve test scores, while the college essay workshops
beyond the holiday season. gifting college planning, you can help ease that burden and set guide students in crafting compelling essays that stand out
The many steps of the the next generation up for financial stability. I offer expert, 1:1 in the competitive admissions process. Additionally, the
college application process college planning services, helping you navigate the complexities career assessments help students explore their strengths and
are stressful. I offer a of the admissions process and create a personalized plan to interests, giving a clearer sense of direction for the future. No
comprehensive roadmap for maximize financial resources and minimize student debt. Using detail is left unnoticed in the application process. Ultimately,
students to stand out in the Class 101’s approach, the college planning process can begin as gifting the college planning services through Class 101 is
crowd and help them connect early as ninth grade, ensuring that students have ample time to an investment in your student’s academic success, financial
all the details and meet all the build a strong academic and extracurricular profile that aligns well-being, and future career opportunities.
deadlines. My flat fee and all-inclusive 1:1 approach helps with their college and career goals. For information or to schedule a free consultation please
your student build a college resume, increase test scores, and Class 101’s comprehensive 1:1 services are designed contact Peggy Forgan at (561) 418-7897 or www.class101.
find the best schools at the best price, which all helps students to provide expert college planning. Our approach offers com/northpalmbeachfl/.
achieve greatness. speed reading, SAT prep courses, college essay writing Happy Holidays from Class 101!
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Dear Taxpayer, in Palm Beach County with Holiday Office Closures
As we come to the close of a homestead exemption. If
2024, I have been reflecting there are no changes to the The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office,
on both the past year and use and/or ownership of the including our five Service Centers, will be closed:
what we can accomplish in property, simply keep the Monday, December 23
the future. card as your receipt that Tuesday, December 24
Property values in Palm you have been automatically Wednesday, December 25
Beach County continued renewed for another year. Wednesday, January 1, 2025
their upward trend this year, However, if there is a change to ownership due to a sale,
but the overall increase in marriage, divorce, death, or change in property use, call
values has slowed compared our office at (561) 355-2866 or email us at MyExemption@ Book Review from page 20
to previous years. Taxable pbcpao.gov.
property values rose 9.6 percent from 2023 to 2024, down A homestead exemption reduces the assessed value of 25 of the 4,000 dogs they have rescued. Do I need to
from the 14 percent increase we saw last year. Market values your property, thereby reducing the amount of property tax say more?
for real property grew 5.6 percent this year, down from the you pay by an average of $500. Homestead exemption also
20.6 percent increase from 2022 to 2023. qualifies you for the 3 percent Save our Homes (SOH) cap. *****
For the first time in our county’s history, new construction If you’ve not yet filed for a homestead exemption, it’s easy
topped $5 billion this year. Overall, the market value of all to e-file online, by mail, or in person at one of our five service On a doggie note,
Palm Beach County property is more than $514 billion. centers. When you apply, you can also file for portability of my wife Linda and I
Westlake continues to lead in municipal value growth, with SOH savings. The deadline to file a homestead exemption will be sharing our first
the largest percentage of taxable value increase from 2023 application is March 1 of the year after you buy your home, holiday season with
to 2024. The Village of Golf, Jupiter Inlet Colony and Cloud and you may file any time after you take ownership of the Lacey, who joined our
Lake are second, third, and fourth, respectively. property and become a permanent resident of Florida. To family three months
My staff are gathering information for 2025 as we qualify, you and/or your spouse must not be receiving a ago. Lacey, a “teacup”
prepare to value property based on the status of the market residency-based exemption on any other property in Florida Maltese who weighs
as of January 1. I want to thank my staff for their continued or in another state. just 3-1/2 pounds,
diligence and commitment to accuracy and excellence. “We For more about homestead exemption, visit our website, will celebrate her first
Value What You Value” is not a simple catchphrase – it is a call (561) 355-2866, or email MyExemption@pbcpao.gov. birthday on December
commitment to service honored by every single one of the 20, and is already
220 qualified public servants in my office. We determine the completely bonded
taxable value of more than 655,000 parcels and nearly 59,000 with my wife Linda,
tangible personal property accounts in the county. as you can see here.
As we look forward to 2025, our mission remains
consistent: to value property, administer exemptions,
and maintain ownership records fairly, equitably, and in
accordance with Florida law for all of Palm Beach County.
As I prepare to be sworn in for my third term as your
property appraiser, I want to thank you for allowing me to
serve in this office. I wish you and your families a safe and
happy holiday season.
Respectfully,
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS,
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing
Palm Beach County and is a privately
Homestead Exemption Receipt owned and managed company.
Captain’s is committed to providing
Cards Mailed Late December dependable, reliable and professional
ground transportation to and from all
South Florida Airports and Seaports.
On the last business day in the month of December, To reserve your vehicle: PBCVH212
the property appraiser’s office mails a pink and white 561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890
homestead exemption receipt card to every property owner www.captainsairport.com