Page 6 - Boca Club News - September '20

Page 6, Boca Club News
From the Desk of Palm Beach County Vice Mayor

Robert S. Weinroth: Important Ways We Are Protecting You

Robert Weinroth, a former member these services in hopes of mitigating an influx of evictions • To respond by phone, call (800) 330-2020.
of the Boca Raton City Council, was proceedings. For more information, please call the Legal Aid The county Health Department recently released a
elected as a Palm Beach County Society of Palm Beach County Rapid Response Eviction mosquito-borne illness alert in response to few reported cases
Commissioner to replace Steven Project at (561) 655-8944, ext. 328 or Florida Rural Legal of West Nile virus. In response, the county has ramped up its
Abrams, who retired due to term limits Services at 1-888-582-3410. Or visit: www.legalaidpbc.org/ aerial spraying covering over 280,000 acres west of Military
requirements. eviction or www.frls.org. Trail from Boca Raton to Jupiter.
As of this writing, the county is For more information on the county’s COVID-19 For more information on aerial spraying and mosquito
showing positive signs of slowing programs, including assistance with rent, mortgages and control, you may contact the Aerial Spray Hotline at (561)
down the spread of the coronavirus. utilities, please visit www.pbcgov.org. 642-8775 or visit: https://discover.pbcgov.org/erm/Pages/
Unfortunately, this virus is not going away, and we must If you have not responded to the 2020 Census, census Mosquito-Control.aspx.
remain vigilant. Though it may seem repetitive, facial takers have started visiting homes throughout the county. Finally, we urge everyone to make sure they are prepared
coverings, social distancing, and frequent handwashing are These field workers can be identified by ID badges with their for a hurricane. The season has been extremely active. For
key factors in mitigating the spread of the corona virus. photograph, and bags and other equipment with the Census details on preparedness and other key information including
The county continues to prioritize testing. Currently, Bureau logo. They will be wearing masks and practicing emergency apps, links to social media and much more, please
there are over 115 testing sites countywide, which can be social distancing. visit: https://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem/Pages/
located at: https://discover.pbcgov.org/coronavirus/Pages/ The county’s response rate is only approximately 60 default.aspx.
testing-sites.aspx. The criteria for testing has been expanded percent. If you are one of the 600,000 or so residents yet to Please contact our office if you need assistance: (561)
(nonsymptomatic, etc.), and the details are provided on that respond, please take a minute to complete the census now. 276-1220 or email me at rweinroth@pbcgov.org.
site. • Respond online at: www.my2020census.gov.
Additionally, the testing site at FITTTEAM Ballpark
in West Palm Beach is now offering rapid antigen testing Memo from County Tax Collector
with results within hours. To make an appointment for this
location, please call (561) 642-1000.
The county also recently released a free CompatCOVID Anne M. Gannon: Taking Charge
app. All users who have been in close proximity to a
COVID-19 positive person will be notified by a push
notification recommending they get tested immediately, and Making Changes
without revealing anyone’s personal identity. Suggested
locations for testing are also provided.
Unlike other apps, CombatCOVID will never use GPS or By Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional 355-4792 to make an appointment and learn about drive-thru
location notification in its architecture. The app user’s privacy Tax Collector serving Palm Beach hours.
and identity are protected. No names, email addresses, County. You can reach her office Please note: A valid driver license or state identification
locations or personally identifying information is required. by Email: ClientAdvocate@ card is required to apply for this program. If you need help
The county has partnered with the Legal Aid Society taxcollectorpbc.com. Phone: (561) obtaining a valid driver license or state ID card, please visit
of Palm Beach County and is offering free assistance and 355-4271. www.pbctax.com to make an appointment for in-person
representation with landlord/tenant matters and past due It’s been a very busy summer as service at one of our offices.
payments. This is available in anticipation that the Governor we continue to serve more clients FPL is also helping its customers who are experiencing
will be lifting the state’s Executive Order prohibiting by appointment in our offices. I am financial hardship due to COVID-19. The company has
evictions sometime in the near future. receiving mostly positive feedback from clients who enjoy suspended disconnections for non-payment and continues
The county has taken a proactive approach in providing coming in for service without waiting in a crowded lobby. to waive late fees and additional payment extensions to help
Many clients are able to complete their transaction with us customers manage past-due balances.
in less than 15 minutes. Customers may also qualify for assistance through the
September is also a busy month as we have two important Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
tax deadlines this month. If you are enrolled in our budget- and FPL’s Care to Share Program. To learn more, please visit
friendly Installment Payment Plan, your second payment is www.fpl.com.
due September 30th. It’s also time for business owners to A Review of My Year as President of the Florida Tax
renew their local business tax receipt by September 30th. Collectors Association. When I began my one-year term as
Both payments can be conveniently paid online at www. president of the Florida Tax Collectors Association (FTCA)
pbctax.com. on August 28th, 2019, I began my term focused on providing
I recently sat down with Penny Pompei, host of “Talk leadership and advocacy in support of all tax collectors and
of the Palm Beaches” on 95.9 FM, to discuss the many the Floridians they serve. Then I faced a global pandemic
innovative changes I am implementing at the Constitutional crisis.
Tax Collector’s Office. “Most tax collector offices, including my own, were
“We faced some very difficult challenges with this forced to close their doors to the public to reduce the spread
coronavirus,” I pointed out. “But we used it as an opportunity of illness,” I reported. “I am proud of the work we did to help
for improvement.” safely reopen tax collector offices throughout Florida. Many
During the 50-minute interview, I discussed a wide range of us transformed from a walk-in business model to one that
of topics, including: requires appointments for in-person service.”
• Steps I am taking to ensure the agency is able to continue As FTCA president, I also provided guidance to tax
to serve the public safely and efficiently. collectors in Volusia, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
• Operational improvements I am implementing to help These counties are transitioning from appointed to
save clients time and money. independently-elected constitutional tax collectors. This
• Improvements to the appointment process, including transition is required by Amendment 10, which was approved
new email reminders. by Florida voters in 2019. I also assisted several tax collectors
Listen to the full podcast at: https://www.pbctax.com/ with improving their websites to provide citizens with greater
interviews-with-anne/ access to online services.
Important Information About Rent and Utility Assistance. “I am proud of the innovative practices we developed and
With COVID-19 continuing to cause extreme hardships for implemented during a very trying time,” I reflected at the
many in Palm Beach County, I often hear from residents time. “These operational changes are helping all tax collectors
who are deeply worried about paying their bills, especially provide more efficient service to the citizens of Florida when
for housing and utilities. Fortunately, there is help available they need it most.”
locally, and I am pleased to share these important program Important Dates and Deadlines:
details with you. September 30th Local Business Tax Receipt Renewals due
Palm Beach County’s Coronavirus Relief Fund Rent September Installment Payment Plan
and Utilities Assistance Program provides one-time rental payment due
and/or utility assistance to residents who have experienced October 5th Deadline to register to vote in 2020 General
loss of income, reduction in hours or unemployment due to Election
COVID-19. Applications are accepted online and by drive- Born in November? Registrations expire at midnight on
thru at the County’s Community Services Department offices your birthday.
in West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach. Please call (561) Renew 90 days in advance at www.pbctax.com.