Page 8 - PGA Community News - March '24

Page 8, PGA C.A.N.! March 2024 March 2024
Northern Notes

Living Within Our Budget Acres, Steeplechase, Once a preliminary budget is agreed upon by internal
Arbor Pa rc and staff, the proposed budget is sent to homeowner and
By Katie Roundtree, Woodbine. Each property owner associations within Northern’s jurisdiction
Director of Finance and unit of development to begin discussions on the upcoming year’s budget.
Administration, Northern is unique since their Budgets are reviewed with association representatives
Palm Beach County needs can be quite to fully communicate the plan for the upcoming year.
Improvement District different. Currently, Modifications to the proposed budget will be reviewed
Like most local there are 47 active units and incorporated when possible.
governments, the Northern of development with The ultimate authority for approving the budget is
Palm Beach County budgets, excluding Northern’s Board of Supervisors. The preliminary budget
Improvement District t h e g e ne r a l fu nd . is reviewed with the Board in May. Once the new tax roll
(Northern) must prepare Northern’s primary is received and reviewed, the Board approves the TRIM
and abide by an annual purpose is to provide rates in June.
budget. Unlike many other stormwater control TRIM stands for Truth in Millage and is the highest rate to
local governments, Northern prepares a budget for general services to its area. assess a property. The property appraiser mails TRIM notices
expenses, such as administrative and overhead expenses, However, in some areas, Northern is also responsible for to property owners in August each year. In August, a public
and for each unit of development within its jurisdiction. road, preserve, trail and gate maintenance. hearing is held for the Board to hear any public comments
A unit of development is a separate, distinct area formed Northern’s fiscal year begins on Oct. 1 and ends on on the proposed budget. After comments are received and
to provide specific services from Northern. These areas Sept. 30. Each year, starting in January, the budget process potentially addressed, the Board will approve the budget.
can be for individual housing developments, such as PGA begins for the new fiscal year. Staff and department heads The final assessment rates are sent to the tax collector for
National, BallenIsles or Abacoa. They can also be for an submit their budgeted requests for projects, services inclusion on the Real Estate Tax Bill sent to property owners
area that covers several developments, such as Horseshoe and equipment for the upcoming year to the budget in November. The new budget year begins on Oct. 1.
manager. The budget manager compiles the information We all feel the impact of rising prices. At Northern,
Drainage Information and produces a draft budget for review by Northern both the staff and the Board work hard to ensure that our
management. During this time, requests are balanced
assessments cover the cost of maintaining our assets and
From Northern Palm Beach against funding to determine whether or not specific paying off any outstanding debt, while also keeping our
projects or requests remain in the funding plan for the
residents and property owners in mind. We achieve this
County Improvement District upcoming year. by using reserves and projecting our capital needs for
Budgets are funded from either maintenance the next five years. This approach helps us to maintain
Why do some yards flood after large quantities assessments, reserve funds, loans or a combination of stable assessments, with increases only when necessary
of rain? The simple answer is according to most the above. Northern has a policy to keep a minimum and decreases when practical. You can find our budget
approved drainage designs, some water is meant to be of 25 percent of the maintenance budget for each unit on our website, www.npbcid.org. We hope that you find
temporarily stored in public recreational areas, yard of development in reserves. Reserves are in place for it helpful and informative.
swale and streets. The excess surface water slowly unexpected emergencies, disasters, and cost increases NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system is
drains to community lakes or on-site ponds via street more than budgeted. Any reserves over the minimum not a garbage disposal, please don’t treat it like one.
and yard drainage grates and/or via swales, ditches can be used to fund future projects or offset assessment Encourage all residents to take responsibility and to not
and canals. The more complex answer is that each increases. Assessment increases are reviewed, and dump chemicals, fertilizer, paint, oil, etc., in inlets or
yard is different. Some yards have drainage swale management determines if it is appropriate to use pipes. Discourage sweeping of lawn clippings and dirt
areas. These are areas that are sloped to catch water reserves or loans to finance larger capital projects or into street drains and disposing of lawn clippings and
and filter out pollutants as water is absorbed into the one-time expenses to limit the rise in the assessment other debris (wood, concrete blocks, Christmas trees, etc.)
ground. Some yards direct water to the community rate. Sometimes, long-term debt is paid off, or one-time directly into retention lakes. Keep drainage facilities clear
drainage system as run-off with very little water projects are completed, and assessment rates can lower of vegetation, trash, improperly and illegally discarded
retained in the yard. Familiarize yourself with how for the upcoming year. appliances, shopping carts, tires, cars, garbage bags, etc.
your yard was built to determine how water drains
from your home.

Season Is Here! Experience Dentistry

Along with season comes the increased temptation
to utilize the golf courses as a park/playground, but with a
we must ask you to refrain from any non-golf related
access.
Maintenance is performed on all the courses
during the year, so there is equipment and work being
done. In addition, it is a time when there are more
golfers on the course enjoying our beautiful weather. Woman’s Touch
Thank you

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