Page 6 - Boca Club News - April '20

Page 6, Boca Club News
Government

Mayor’s Update:

Facing the Challenges of a New Term

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor to all who share a vision of working together to get things and we recognize the significant impact on residents and
of Boca Raton. A South Florida done. We need it now more than ever. businesses. We continue to actively monitor and respond to
native, attorney, mediator, and small As I write this in March, the City of Boca Raton has this ever-changing situation, and are frequently evaluating
business owner, Scott and his wife, taken many steps to combat the spread of coronavirus. The our steps. Many steps that the City took early on were
Bella, live in Broken Sound with dynamic situation has changed so much and often that a modeled elsewhere.
their two young children. daily report, much less a monthly column, is not current. By It seems likely that, by the time you see this in April,
Dear neighbors, thank you for the time you read this in April, many more steps will have we will still be dealing with many short-term impacts. The
allowing me to continue working occurred. For now, let me share that our guide has been to more we act with speed and unity in limiting unnecessary
for you! In the midst of our fight take more proactive steps earlier to flatten the curve. contacts, the sooner we hope to be past this challenging time.
to stop the spread of COVID-19, I was honored to have As one government---and in consultation with other In the meantime, please continue to heed health experts’
been re-elected on March 17th with 89% of the vote. I’m local, county, state, and federal leaders---we are making recommendations. Stay home whenever possible. The goal
so grateful and humbled by the support from the residents thoughtful decisions with the best available information is to save lives, and that goal remains paramount.
of Boca, and my family, friends, volunteers, supporters, from medical experts for the health, safety, and welfare
and colleagues at the city and on our campaign. Thank you of our residents. We don’t make these decisions lightly,
Council Corner:

Let’s Keep it Together…Together!

Andy Thomson was first elected during on our own---to protect the safety of our residents, which is These are anxious times for everybody. People are
the special City Council election our highest priority. worried. Let’s please remember to treat others with kindness
in 2018, and re-elected without These strong measures became necessary because, and grace, and to do our best not to judge.
opposition to the Council last month. unfortunately, some people were not following the suggested This situation is also having a significant impact on our
In early March, the coronavirus precautions: social distancing, limiting large groups, etc. businesses and their workers. Thankfully, there are resources
came to Florida. Since then, it’s been The same precautions remain our community’s first line of available to help those impacted. Small business owners can
tough to talk about anything else. defense, and while they may be inconvenient, we owe it to get interest-free loans from both the U.S. Small Business
From the outset, the City of Boca each other---particularly the most vulnerable among us---to Administration as well as the State of Florida’s Department
Raton was quick to take steps to stop continue following them. of Economic Opportunity. Unemployment benefits are
the spread of COVID-19. Early on, we declared a state of Some well-documented examples of people ignoring these available from the State. I’m here to help business owners
emergency and ordered the closing of places where large precautions---Spring Break gatherings on beaches, boats and employees navigate those processes, so please contact
gatherings are likely: city facilities, parks, beaches, and the rafting together on Lake Boca---generated criticism, and me if you need assistance.
dine-in part of restaurants. Palm Beach County and the State rightly so. But, sadly, I’ve also seen friends and neighbors I pray that you all stay safe and healthy in these difficult
of Florida followed suit several days later. We will continue get into heated arguments, normally on social media, about times. If you need anything, please let me know: AThomson@
to work with our State and county partners---or, if necessary, whether the other was doing enough. ci.boca-raton.fl.us.
Memo from County Tax Collector

Anne M. Gannon: Important Crisis News,

The Census and Your Gold Star Driver’s License

By Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Why Your Driver License Signature is Important During Anne: Hi, Sam. Florida
Collector serving Palm Beach County. an Election Year. driver licenses may look
You can reach her office by Email: Planning to see us soon for driver license service? Please different depending on when
ClientAdvocate@taxcollectorpbc.com. remember to sign the keypad carefully. Your driver license they were issued. The key
Phone: (561) 355-4271. signature will be used by the Supervisor of Elections office is to make sure your driver
On March 19th I closed all Tax to verify your identity when you Vote-by-Mail. It may also license has a gold star in the
Collector offices to the public and be used to verify your identity at your polling location if upper right corner.
suspended in-person service until you choose to vote in person—and if in-person voting is Take a moment to check.
further notice. Last year we served permitted when election time comes around. If you have the star, you
over 800,000 clients in person. That’s almost 70,000 face- According to the Supervisor of Elections office, if your have a REAL ID-compliant
to-face interactions each month. We must do everything we signature has changed, you will need to use an online voter driver license and DO NOT
can to slow the spread of COVID-19. registration application to bring your Florida driver license NEED to come in for a new
At the same time, this agency must continue to provide or state ID signature into your voter record. You may also credential.
essential services to our community. The collection and use a paper voter registration application to update your Our agency has been
distribution of property tax is vitally important, especially signature. issuing REAL ID driver
in these extraordinary times. Property taxes fund critical For more information, please visit www.pbcelections.org. licenses and state ID cards since 2010. Current data from the
services in our community, including public safety, Census 2020: Make it Count! Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
emergency response, the school district and healthcare By now, you have likely received an invitation to respond show over 92% of Palm Beach County residents have their
programs. Our driver license and motor vehicle services to the census including instructions on how to respond REAL ID. For more information, please visit www.pbctax.
have a direct impact on people’s ability to work, which by mail, online or by telephone. Everyone living at your com/realid.
affects our local economy. That is why we will continue to address counts including grand and great-grandparents, April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
work behind the scenes, serving you online at www.pbctax. parents and guardians, children, extended family, multiple April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a time
com and by mail. families, roommates and caregivers. when we like to remind motorists to ignore dangerous
These are extraordinary times filled with many unknowns For the first time, you can respond to the census online! distractions like texting and driving. Our agency is
and constant change. I will continue to keep you up to date Please participate because there is much at stake! committed to helping drivers build a lifetime of safe driving
on www.pbctax.com, by email at ClientAdvocate@pbctax. Palm Beach County receives approximately $1,600 in habits. We recently participated in the Dori Saves Lives’
com and on Twitter (@ TAXPBC). Please follow all local federal funding for each person counted. With 1.5 million Drivers Education Conference where we provided resources
and state orders related to COVID-19 and stay healthy. Palm Beach County residents, this funding equates to for driver educators. Attendees learned about our free app
Property Taxes. approximately $2.4 billion annually. These funds are used called “In the Driver’s Seat,” which guides users through
2019 property tax season. Property taxes become locally for our schools, healthcare programs, housing, the Graduating Licensing Process (GLP). The app also
delinquent April 1st, 2020. Delinquent real estate taxes transportation, infrastructure and other critical services. contains access to the Florida Driver Handbook and offers
cannot be paid online and must be paid in certified U.S. Also, Florida’s census data could result in additional safe driving tips. Download this free study app from the
funds. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, bank congressional representation for our state based upon the iOS App Store or Google Play.
draft, wire transfer, money order and cashier’s check. total response to the census. For more information, please Important Dates & Deadlines:
Don’t forget, April 30 is the deadline to submit your visit 2020census.gov. Apr. 1 2019 property taxes are delinquent
application for our Installment Payment Plan which allows Ask Anne: How Do I Know If I Have a REAL ID? Apr. 30 2020 Installment Payment Plan application
you to pay property taxes quarterly and receive a discount Question: Hi, Anne! I renewed my driver license a few deadline
just under 4%. Sign up at www.pbctax.com/ipp. years ago. It looks different from the new driver licenses Oct. 1 REAL ID deadline
If you observe Easter or Passover this month, I wish you issued today. How can I tell if it is REAL ID-compliant? Born in June? Your registration expires at midnight on
a happy holiday. Sam, Wellington your birthday. Renew online at www.pbctax.com.