Page 6 - Boca Expsoure - June '20

Page 6, Boca Exposure
Mayor’s Update: Staying Positive And Staying The Course

Scott Singer is the 35th now, our infection rates are lower per capita than many widespread testing, difficulties in getting information, and
Mayor of Boca Raton. A neighboring areas. other problems we’ve heard. As mayor of Boca Raton, I
South Florida native, In this unprecedented and ever-changing time, the city will continue to make sure your voice is heard and will keep
attorney, mediator, and small continues to take thoughtful action based on the best available fighting for our city.
business owner, Scott and his information. We have been constantly monitoring our There’s been no perfect answer, and very strong opinions
wife, Bella, live in Broken response and adjusting our next steps accordingly. Nothing by many people on different sides of many issues. We
Sound with their two young about this crisis has been perfect, most of all the available continue to do our best to heed health experts’ advice,
children. information. We all can feel good that many dedicated city evaluate the science-based data, work to bolster our economy,
Dear Neighbors, the last employees have been working hard to keep our core city and deliver essential services, even amidst the tumult.
few months have been very functions running well and dealing with countless challenges, As we approach the next phase, please continue to take
challenging for all of us. I all without a playbook for this crisis. precautions as recommended by the medical community.
hope that by the time you Thanks go out to our other governmental partners at all There is no cure for COVID-19 yet, so social distancing,
read this column, written in mid-May, the declining trends levels of government. I was happy to be able to work to help hand washing, and other safe and responsible behavior will
in COVID-19 continue to give some encouragement as we secure a testing facility for Boca Raton, to get increased law continue to be important – even more so as we return more
move to additional phases of measured reopenings. enforcement support, to encourage data collection at Boca to the new normal.
One constant in our response is that the City of Boca Raton Airport when the crisis was unfolding, to partner with In these difficult times, please be understanding, kind,
Raton has continued to be proactive for the health, safety, non-profits, and to share ideas on business relief programs and patient to your neighbors. Everyone is dealing with some
and welfare of all our residents. We implemented a number implemented by the state and county. All of these efforts impact of COVID-19. Some have been devastating, and many
of emergency measures well before other cities in the area have involved much coordination and collaboration with of them are unseen. Together, through our vigilance and
and the county, heeding the advice of health experts to act other governments and elected leaders. diligence, our community will overcome these challenging
quickly to flatten the curve. Many other jurisdictions then At many times, I’ve been frustrated, too, by challenges moments and emerge toward a brighter future.
took actions that we previously implemented. As I write with business and individual funding programs, lack of
Tax Talk

Special Edition – Offering measures put in place for in-person service and remote New Procedure For Remote
driving tests.
Service By Appointment Only Finally, I would like to extend my warm wishes for a Driving Tests
very happy Father’s Day! Thank you for the sacrifices you
Dear Friends, make every day to love, guide and protect our children. The state has implemented a new remote driving test
This issue of Tax Talk is Sincerely, procedure for all tax collectors. The new procedure enables
a special edition featuring Anne M. Gannon, an examiner to maintain proper social distancing while
important information as Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County administering the test.
I continue to take careful The examiner will administer the test from outside the
steps to reopen the agency Appointments Now Required vehicle using a hands-free device while communicating
while balancing the health instructions to the driver. Clients taking the remote driving
and safety of our employees For In-Person Service test must have an accompanying licensed driver, 21 years or
and the community. older, in the seat closest to the driver unless the client holds a
Beginning June 1, I will Effective June 1, all six Constitutional Tax Collector valid license from another country. The accompanying driver
reopen our doors to the offices will resume serving Palm Beach County residents may not assist the customer during the driving test and may
public by appointment in-person by appointment only. The following safeguards not be a driving school instructor.
only. Please note several requirements and safety have been put in place to protect the health of our Driving tests are by appointment only. No walk-ins will
employees and clients. be permitted. For more information, please visit www.pbctax.
Clients who cannot complete their transaction online com/driver-licenses.
or by mail must schedule an appointment at www.pbctax.
com to receive in-person service at one of our offices. Stay Healthy And Vote By
Appointments are available Monday through Friday,
8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for Palm Beach County residents Mail
only. Walk-ins and out-of-county residents will not be
permitted. I urge Palm Beach County voters to sign up to vote by
Appointments are available for the following tax mail. Voters can request a Vote-by-Mail ballot online at www.
collector services: pbcelections.org. Return postage on Vote-by-Mail ballots is
• REAL ID driver licenses, state identification cards prepaid. Stay healthy and vote by mail!
and commercial driver licenses
• Driving tests and written exams Important 2020 Election Dates
• Florida titles and out of state titles
• Property tax And Deadlines
• Local business tax
• Registration renewals (limited) 2020 Primary Election
July 20
Requirements And Safety Deadline to register or change party
August 18
Tuesday - Saturday Measures In Our Offices Election Day
2020 General Election
10 am - 5 pm Wait in your car. Clients with appointments should wait October 5

in their cars as our lobby waiting areas are closed. Clients may Deadline to register or change party
Donations accepted from 10 am to 3 pm get in line 10 minutes before their appointment and must keep 6 November 3
feet of distance from other clients. We also recommend clients Election Day
bring an umbrella and water.
Come to your appointment alone. Clients should arrive
Join our loyalty Bring this ad to for their appointment alone, as guests will not be permitted. The Florida’s Disaster
program and receive receive 10% off only exceptions will be caretakers of elderly clients, translators Preparedness Sales Tax
special discounts and your purchase.* for clients who speak languages other than English, Spanish or Holiday Is May 29 – June 4
Creole, and interpreters for hearing-impaired clients.
sales notices. *Excludes sales items Wear a face mask and follow social distancing. Anyone
Expires 8/15/2020
entering our offices shall wear a face mask or cloth face Let us not lose sight of the fact that hurricane season
covering. Please observe all social distancing measures begins June 1. Please consider stocking up on hurricane
including markings on sidewalks and inside our offices. supplies during Florida’s sales tax holiday which takes
Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between clients and place May 29 through June 4. During this period,
employees. qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are
Do not pay by cash. Studies show cash, specifically paper exempt from Florida sales tax.
bills, can contain bacteria and viruses for long periods of time.
Clients are asked not to use cash to make a payment. Please Important Dates And
use a credit or debit card or contactless payment method such
as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Deadlines
Additional Safety Measures
To protect our employees and clients, we have installed June 1 Hurricane Season Begins
Plexiglas barriers at all front counter service stations. As an June 21 Father’s Day
extra precaution, clients should use their own hand sanitizer June 30 June Installment Payment Due
before entering our office. Clients should also use hand sanitizer Born in August? Registrations expire at midnight on your
after leaving our office. birthday. Renew at www.pbctax.com.