Page 22 - Abacoa Community News - January '25

Page 22, Abacoa BW

governMent

Commissioner’s Update

Palm Beach County: Driving nearly 24,000 people, and 2,200 kids ages 2 to 12 took free include the completion of the PBSO District 1 Marine Unit
Facility, the Supervisor of Elections Production Facility, and
or reduced-cost swim lessons.
Innovation, Safety, And stronger communities, lower insurance premiums, and the Canyon Branch Library. Upcoming renovations at Roger
Investments in public safety provide tangible returns:
Dean Stadium and expansions to the Animal Care and Control
Growth For A Brighter Future enhanced quality of life. When people feel safe, businesses Building will further enhance our infrastructure. Solid Waste
thrive, families grow, and communities flourish. That’s the Authority has the No. 1 renewable energy facility in America.
By Mayor Maria G. Marino kind of return on investment we can all celebrate. Transportation is another cornerstone of our growth
It’s truly an honor What makes Palm Beach County such a desirable strategy. By collaborating with all 39 municipalities, we are
to become the mayor of destination for businesses and families? It’s the outstanding developing a Countywide Transportation Master Plan that
a county that is a driving quality of life, with 110 parks, beaches, and recreational ensures safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility for everyone.
force for economic growth, areas that turn living here into a dream. These spaces are With more than 550 interlocal agreements spanning public
innovation and quality of life. more than just amenities; they are vital investments in our safety, coastal protection, facilities, and broadband, we’re
Palm Beach County stands shared well-being. Programs like Park Rx, also known fostering a spirit of collaboration that benefits every corner
as a beacon of progress, as Park Prescriptions, is part of a national initiative that of our county. Our ISS department, using $50M in federal
built not by chance, but encourages healthcare professionals to prescribe time spent funds, has installed broadband poles and more than 500 miles
through thoughtful planning, in nature to improve patients’ health and well-being. of fiber optic cabling. Free Internet broadband is available
consistent effort, and This past year, we completed two major restoration in 17 branches of our libraries and 47 county parks. And
unwavering commitment to projects in our estuaries: Sawfish Island and Tarpon Cove. by partnering with agencies like the Boys and Girls Clubs
excellence. These initiatives created critical seagrass, oyster reef, and and 86 schools, we are bringing Wi-Fi to homes that would
Palm Beach County thrives on strategic investments that mangrove habitats, supporting wildlife, improving water otherwise be unable to have this necessary tool for kids to do
yield transformative results. For every dollar invested in quality, and enhancing coastal resilience. Coastal resilience their homework. Pair that with many interlocal agreements
economic development, we see exponential returns—more is important for maintaining our pristine beaches and natural with our municipalities, we are delivering broadband at a
businesses, more jobs, and a stronger tax base. We’ve proven habitat. The county spent nearly $6M this past year on dune discounted price which is passing a huge savings on to all
that we act local while thinking global. projects and beach renourishment and over 1.4 million cubic our residents.
Public Safety is the foundation of any thriving yards of sand was placed on county beaches. That volume Palm Beach County is an award-winning county, locally,
community. From emergency management during storms would fill 150 Jupiter Lighthouses! statewide and nationally. We are rewriting the rules of what’s
to initiatives by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and the Education in Palm Beach County is more than Vanderbilt. possible. Through precision, patience, and strategy, we’re
Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), we are committed to In addition to our higher education options, we have three driving excellence and ensuring every resident and every
ensuring residents feel secure. A shining example is our technical high schools in our county. College may not be for business sees the benefits of living, working, and thriving
whole blood program, one of only 121 in the nation, which everyone, but education is. here. Together, we’re creating a future where innovation
enables medically trained first responders to perform life- Palm Beach County is buzzing with transformational meets sustainability, and prosperity is shared by all.
saving blood transfusions in the field. Through its safety projects designed to meet the needs of yesterday and today For more information on the latest news and initiatives
education, the Drowning Prevention Coalition reached while anticipating tomorrow. Recent accomplishments in Palm Beach County, please visit: www.pbc.gov.
Tax Talk

Dear Friends: Get Yours Now! The 2025 Tax Planner & to ensure all clients receive exceptional service. AJ says,
Each day, at approximately Services Guide “Client feedback is important to us, and we monitor calls
11 a.m., my team and I receive and utilize call monitor forms to provide our client care
an email report from our client We are excited representatives with feedback. With this comes challenges
satisfaction survey vendor to announce that our servicing clients who are unsatisfied with some aspect of
highlighting the surveys we 2025 Tax Planner our services. I remind the team that it is not personal and to
received from clients the & Services Guide show empathy towards the client, and we specifically train
previous day. I enjoy reading will be available staff for these calls.” Employee recognition is important,
the surveys, especially the beginning in January. and AJ says, “We celebrate wins and best calls, and in fact,
comments where clients tell This comprehensive we just held our first annual CCRC Awards, recognizing
us what we are doing right guide is designed to exceptional achievements, such as ‘Most Calls’ and ‘Client
and what needs improvement. keep you informed, Service Excellence.’ I feel lucky to be a member of such
We strive for exceptional service on each and every interaction connected, and a great team of professionals, all moving in the same
with our clients, both in-person and on the phone, and most empowered as you direction to deliver exceptional customer service.”
of the time we get it right, but there are times that we miss navigate our organization’s services, values, and resources. A Better Journey
the mark. In either case, it is important that we hear from our Inside, you’ll find everything from taxes to motor vehicles
clients so we can address issues and make corrections where services and driver’s license/ID card services. There is Our new
needed, but at the same time, it is so rewarding to hear from also a monthly calendar to help you keep track of your website,
clients who rave about the service they have received from a payment deadlines. www.pbctax.
member of my staff. That commitment to exceptional from As we worked on this latest edition, one of our priorities gov has been
every member of our team is the driving force behind our was to align with the information on our new website, online for over
industry-leading client satisfaction results, where 87 percent www.pbctax.gov, so the two complement one another. a month now
of our clients say that their experience with our office was We made the guide easy to use with color coding guides and I hope you
exceptional or very good! to services and QR codes that will take you right to our have enjoyed
Anne M. Gannon, website for more information on a specific topic. exploring
Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County Visit www.pbctax.gov/tpsg to request a copy of all the new
the 2025 edition. When you receive the guide, we will features. One
invite you to respond to a brief survey to provide us with feature that I want to highlight is the enhancements made
your feedback so we can keep enhancing this signature to our reservation system. We created a new more intuitive
publication. I hope you enjoy this publication as much as interface, featuring pop-up icons to provide information
we enjoy providing it to you! about topics related to our services.
During your “journey” to make a reservation online,
Faces Of The TCO: AJ Starks we first present you with a list of documents that you will
need for your transaction. Next, upon indicating which
Title: Director of Contact Center Operations documents you have by checking “Yes” or “No” and before
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. you officially schedule your reservation, we present you a
Favorite Activity: Manning the grill or the smoker summary checklist of the document(s) you need to bring
Favorite Food: My smoked brisket with you to your reservation. You can then print the list or
This month, in our email it to yourself to view or print later. Keep in mind that
“Faces of the TCO” series, this document is not confirmation of a reservation, as you
I am pleased to shine the still have to select a date, time and location. This checklist
spotlight on the director is designed to help you easily keep track of the documents
of our Client Care and you need to gather. Once you have the opportunity to use
Research Center (CCRC). our enhanced reservation-making system, tell us your
Ajani “AJ” Starks feedback by visiting www.pbctax.gov/website-feedback/.
joined my Senior
Leadership Team in
2022, and he oversees 40
employees whose main responsibility is to answer client
questions and concerns via phone and emails. Handling an
average of 1,700 calls a day is not an easy task, and to do
so effectively, AJ and his team have developed strategies