Page 13 - Boca Club News - December '19

Boca Club News, Page 13
Mayor’s Update: Traffic, Hurricanes and Public Safety

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor intergovernmental dispute resolution process, but in this case you; nearly half of all auto burglaries occur with unlocked
of Boca Raton. A South Florida the adjacent neighbors’ representatives wanted to proceed doors.
native, attorney, mediator, and small with what they had worked out. Holiday Events.
business owner, Scott and his wife Along those lines, the City of Boca Raton was recognized This issue should arrive in time for you to check out
Bella live in Broken Sound with their as a Tree City USA for the 39th year in a row for our ongoing these great free city holiday and year-end events: The
two young children. commitment to planting trees and landscaping. Work annual Boat Parade on Sunday, December 15th, which will
Happy Holidays! Here’s some continues throughout the City, including on Clint Moore near brighten up the Intracoastal Waterway. Finally, the eyes of
good news to round off the year. Best Broken Sound. college football fans everywhere will be on Boca Raton on
wishes to you and yours for a happy, Public Safety News. Saturday, December 21st, for the sixth annual Boca Raton
healthy, and prosperous 2020! Last issue, I mentioned Boca Raton’s crime rate remains at Bowl game. This year, the Bowl will be on ABC on Saturday
Traffic and Mobility Improvements, including Brightline. levels among the lowest in 40 years and continues to show a at 3:30 pm, the premier slot for college football, with millions
In the last two years, the City has completed road consistent downward trend. In 2018, we had a 7% reduction in of viewers expected. You’ll want to be there in person! For
resurfacing projects in 15 neighborhoods, all without a tax both serious and property crimes. We are projecting a further more information on city events, please check out the City’s
increase. We’ve expanded bike paths and sidewalks, and reduction this year in the same range. That’s outstanding website, myboca.us, or like my Facebook page at facebook.
invested millions in improved traffic signal performance work by Boca Raton’s Police Services Department! Please com/scottsingerusa.
and median landscaping and beautification. Recently, I remember to lock your car doors and take your key fobs with
approached Brightline about the possibility of a high-speed
businesses have expressed great excitement that a link to this Memo from County Tax Collector
train station in Downtown Boca. Countless residents and
major transportation network could be a “game changer” for
Boca Raton. The final vote on this matter was expected as of Anne M. Gannon: Tax Tips
December 10th.
Trees: Hurricanes, LWDD, and Recognition.
Summer 2019 brought us all a significant hurricane scare, By Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional 635,558 bills totaling $4.2 billion to Palm Beach County
but thankfully for Florida it was merely that. We are also Tax Collector serving Palm Beach property owners. From our schools and libraries to public
grateful that our residents were more prepared than ever. County. You can reach her office safety, healthcare programs and the environment, property
Many homeowners took advantage of the City of Boca by Email: ClientAdvocate@ taxes fund critical services and our way of life in Palm Beach
Raton’s proactive Clean and Cut program, in which the city taxcollectorpbc.com. Phone: (561) County.
provided extra bulk and vegetative garbage pickups at the 355-4271. The top ten property taxpayers by the amount of taxes
start of hurricane season. December is filled with holiday billed are:
Speaking of hurricane prep, residents in the communities preparations and festivities. With so 1. Florida Power & Light Co. $101,430,213.95
along Yamato Road likely have noticed the ficus trees along much to do and so little time, I have 2. Town Center at Boca Raton Trust $10,870,125.48
Yamato Road, as part of Lake Worth Drainage District’s a suggestion. If you have not yet paid your 2019 property 3. Gardens Venture LLC $7,334,083.14
efforts to ensure the canals flow well and will not back up taxes, why not save time by paying your taxes on www. 4. Breakers Palm Beach Inc. $6,964,252.20
during a future storm. I’m far from thrilled that the District pbctax.com? In addition to saving time, you will also save 5. Boca Owner LLC $6,921,172.77
is proceeding, but the Broken Sound Master Association money! December payments qualify for a 3% early payment 6. U.S. Sugar Corp. $5,544,998.60
board obtained significant concessions to allow many trees to discount. 7. CPT Phillips Point LLC $4,679,226.64
remain. Moreover, BSMA convinced the District, a separate A friendly reminder that our offices will be closed 8. Palm Beach Outlets LLC $4,125,836.01
governmental entity, to pay for parts of tree clearing that Tuesday, December 24th and Wednesday, December 25th 9. Okeelanta Corp. $3,936,440.53
would have otherwise cost us Broken Sound residents more. for the Christmas holiday. 10. KH Alton LLC $3,863,756.91
BSMA will replant and beautify along the canal once work is I wish you peace and happiness this holiday season. Use eCheck to Avoid Paying Convenience Fees. Are you
done. As I write this in November, work to rebuild the canal 2019 Property Taxes by the Numbers. The 2019 planning to pay your taxes using a credit card or debit card?
banks is proceeding. The City has in the past invoked an property tax year opened on November 1st, when we mailed Don’t get caught off guard by convenience fees. These fees
are charged by the card vendor and are not retained by this
office.
• Credit cards have a spending limit of $99,999.99 and
charge a 2.5% convenience fee.
• Debit cards have no spending limit and charge a $2.50
convenience fee for every $500 increment.
Please consider using eCheck, which is free! There are
no usernames or passwords to remember. You can even pay
multiple tax bills in one transaction.
To use eCheck, you will need to know your bank’s routing
number for electronic payments and your bank account
number. Make sure your email address is correct because the
transaction confirmation will be emailed to you. If you do
not receive the confirmation email, check your Junk folder
or Spam folder.
Installment Payment Due. If you are enrolled in our 2019
Installment Payment Plan, the third quarterly installment
payment is due December 31st. There’s no need to wait in
line. Pay anytime at www.pbctax.com or drop your payment
in one of our secure drop boxes located inside our service
center lobbies. Our secure drop boxes are available during
regular business hours only which are Monday through
Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
It’s the Most Wonderful (and Busiest) Time of the
Year! November to March is property tax season. It is also
our busiest time of year when we serve more clients in
person, creating longer wait times. We know your time is
valuable which is why we invite you to follow us on Twitter
and Instagram (@TAXPBC) for timesaving tips this holiday
season. Our tips can help you avoid a trip to our office so you
can spend more time with friends and family. If you must
come in for service, we offer many suggestions to help make
your transaction quick and efficient.
Sign Up Now for Our 2020 Installment Payment
Plan. Want to make paying your property taxes a little
easier on your budget next year? You can sign up for our
2020 Installment Payment Plan. This budget-friendly plan
allows you to make quarterly payments in June, September,
December and March. You will also receive an early payment
discount of slightly less than 4%.
Signing up for the plan is easy! Apply online or download
an application on our website at www.pbctax.com/ipp. We
are accepting applications now through April 30th.
If you are currently enrolled in the Installment Payment
Plan, there is no need to re-apply. You are automatically re-
enrolled each year.