Page 10 - Boca Club News - January '21

Wilde Times
Page 10, Boca Club News
Memo from County Tax Collector Anne M. Gannon:

New Way to Renew Vehicle Registrations!

By Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional agency is leveraging technology to expand our ability to Hungry, one of the agency’s Community Giving Partners.
Tax Collector serving Palm Beach conveniently provide motor vehicle services to Palm Beach I am so proud of our generous employees who continue to
County. You can reach her office County residents. Clients will be able to use the kiosks to provide much-needed support to homeless schoolchildren
by Email: ClientAdvocate@ renew vehicle registrations on the spot – no need to wait in our community. Whenever there is a need, our employees
taxcollectorpbc.com. Phone: (561) for your decal to arrive by mail! always step up and give.
355-4271. As we go to print, kiosks are planned for the following Save Money in January.
Like many of you, I am excited to locations: If you pay your property tax bill in January, you will
say good-bye to 2020, and greet the – Publix at Promenade Shopping Plaza, Palm Beach receive a 2% discount. Pay smart by paying online. It’s
new year with hope and optimism! In Gardens the fastest and safest way to pay. Online payments are
this column, I am pleased to share an update – Publix at Greenwood Shopping Center, Palm Springs processed in just one to three business days. Avoid the
on some of the innovative work we are doing – Publix at Boynton Lakes Plaza, Boynton Beach 2.4% credit card convenience fee when you use eCheck,
to provide the safe and convenient service – Addison Centre Publix, Delray Beach our free online payment option. Remember to pay 2020
you’ve come to expect from this office. – Publix at Garden Shops at Boca, Boca Raton property tax by March 31st, 2021. Property tax becomes
Please accept my best wishes for a If you encounter any issues using a kiosk, support is delinquent April 1st.
healthy and prosperous new year. provided by the vendor. Contact them directly at the phone Important Dates and Deadlines:
Self-Service Kiosks Coming Soon to a number on the front of the kiosk. More information can be Jan. 18th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day ‒ Offices closed.
Publix Near You! found at www.pbctax.com or by following us on Twitter, Jan. 31st - January installment payment due.
I am excited to give you a sneak peek Facebook and Instagram. Jan. 31st - Last day to
at our new self-service kiosks, which “Warm Their Soles” Drive Benefits Local Homeless receive 2% property tax
will be installed at five Publix locations Schoolchildren. discount.
throughout Palm Beach County. As this Palm Beach County Tax Collector Office employees Born in March? Your
paper goes to print, we are working with donated over $2,400 during their November charitable registration expires at
Intellectual Technology, Inc. to complete drive called “Warm Their Soles.” Employees used the midnight on your birthday.
installation and testing. donations to purchase socks and underwear, which will Renew up to 90 days in
The kiosks are just one more way this be distributed to local homeless schoolchildren by Living advance at www.pbctax.com.
From the Desk of Palm Beach County

Vice Mayor Robert S. Weinroth: 2020 Recap

Robert Weinroth, a former member municipalities, cultural and nonprofit organizations. The Florida Division of Emergency Management and
of the Boca Raton City Council, was Probably the most important news of 2020 is the the Florida Department of Health are handling the vaccine
elected as a Palm Beach County COVID-19 vaccine. There is finally hope on the horizon Phase 1a rollout that includes the following:
Commissioner to replace Steven with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations already taking • All vaccines will be given free of charge.
Abrams, who retired due to term limits place and others expected shortly. The process of eradicating • Hospital health care workers - Palm Beach County
requirements. the virus and ending the pandemic has begun. hospitals began receiving deliveries of the vaccine the
The New Year is a time for It is also important to acknowledge the true heroes of week of December 21st. These vaccines are for the hospital
resolutions and new beginnings. In 2020 – our frontline workers and first responders. Thank medical personnel and other hospital staff.
ordinary years, we would reminisce you to all of them for risking their lives providing essential • Nursing homes and long-term care facilities – CVS
about what transpired during the year, while contemplating services to our community. and Walgreens are the exclusive providers of vaccinations at
our hopes and dreams for the New Year. I would also like to extend gratitude to the county’s these facilities. Facilities in the county have been contacted,
However, 2020 has not been an ordinary year. emergency managers and staff for their dedication and and vaccinations started the week of December 21st.
It was January 21st, 2020, that the Center for Disease and commitment. They have worked tirelessly during the past • Front-line medical personnel, fire-rescue, other
Control (CDC) confirmed the first U.S. coronavirus case in year in mitigating the virus while keeping our local economy healthcare workers. The county’s health department
a resident of Washington State who had recently returned working and providing resources to those in need. began vaccinating these worker populations with priority
from Wuhan, China. Post-pandemic, we will be a stronger community for for those who administer the vaccines. As additional doses
From there, the virus moved rapidly, and the World having weathered this storm, together! are received, the county will prioritize law enforcement and
Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health COVID-19 Vaccine: What we know: As of this writing, the other critical workers. This is a rapidly developing effort
emergency by the end of January. By mid-March, a following is a brief update on the initial phase of COVID-19 with new information coming each day from the state. We
pandemic was declared because of its worldwide spread. vaccine distribution in Palm Beach County. will provide updates as they become available.
Due to the need for isolation, routine activities were
suspended to help “flatten the curve” of infections. Schools
and businesses were shuttered, recreational activities
ceased, and everyone (except essential workers) were asked
to stay home.
The impact of “hitting the pause button” on our lives
continues to reverberate throughout our community, largely
because so many jobs were lost.
The challenge of putting food on the table, paying rent
or making mortgage payments has become overwhelming Stylish Modern Atmosphere Make Reservations happy hour
for many who were self-sufficient, resulting in despair and every Day 3 - 6 pm
depression for many.
We can take pride in the mobilization of the many and Mon. - Thurs.
volunteers who helped make the pain bearable for the most all Day at Bar Only
vulnerable among us. Almost immediately, community
volunteers stepped up! Food drives and feeding sites Lunch SpeciaLS
opened, social media campaigns for assistance were
plentiful, and many other initiatives were established to every Day
help those in need. $
In late March, the federal government approved the starting at 9
Coronavirus Act Relief and Economic Security (CARES)
Act. Over $2 trillion was earmarked to address the economic
and social impacts of the pandemic and included steps to
mitigate the spread.
The CARES Act provided an infusion of funding into
the unemployment system, forgivable loans to businesses
predicated on their retention of their employees, and
individual stimulus checks.
Palm Beach County received approximately $260
million in CARES Act funds to be used for pandemic-
related expenses. Allocations included testing sites, food
supplies, small businesses, broadband infrastructure, and
personal protective equipment (PPE). Additionally, funds
were provided to the health department, school system,