Page 3 - The Shores of Jupiter - September '21

The Shores, Page 3
Commissioner’s Update

County Budget Crunch Time Strategic priorities identified by the Board of County sales tax, and parks and recreation fees were down a
Commissioners for ad valorem funding (the money combined $17.7 million this past fiscal year. All the while,
By County Commissioner collected from your property taxes) include economic costs for providing public services and constructing capital
Maria Marino development, housing and homelessness, environmental improvement projects continue to go up.
In a previous article, protection, infrastructure, substance abuse and behavioral The Board had to find a way to fill a $46.4 million shortfall
I described the many disorders, and public safety. for the coming fiscal year. In order to avoid substantial cuts
responsibilities of a county For the 11th straight year, the Board has set the countywide to reserves, department budgets and staffing, the Sheriff’s
commissioner. Probably one millage rate – the tax rate per $1,000 of your real property’s value Department (PBSO), and Supervisor of Elections’ budgets, the
of the most important of – at 4.7815 mils. This will generate approximately $1.054 billion, Board approved the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act
those duties is the adoption a 4.8 percent increase, given the increase in property values. (ARPA) dollars for eligible expenses, which include capital
of a balanced budget for each Revenue sources for the general fund include property improvement projects for PBSO and county facilities. Those
fiscal year, which begins taxes (63.3 percent), fund balance – the excess of fund assets funds must be under contract by fiscal year 2024 and spent
every Oct. 1. The budget, over liabilities (17.5 percent), intergovernmental revenues by fiscal year 2026. While this is not a recurring, long-term
which funds many vital – in the form of grants, entitlements, shared revenues, or solution to shortfalls, budget analysts anticipate a gradual return
services to the public, is really a plan to accomplish goals payments in lieu of taxes (13.2 percent), licenses, permits of revenues to pre-pandemic levels over the next five years.
and objectives identified as necessary to the purpose of your and fees (3 percent), charges for services (2.6 percent), and For an in-depth look at the county’s tax dollars and
county government. Included in the budget are estimates interfund transfers (.4 percent). financial health, and important economic trends, the clerk of
of the appropriations of the resources required, the tax and The pandemic dealt epic public health and economic the circuit court and comptroller publishes annually a citizen’s
nontax revenues available to support implementation of hardships to individuals, families and businesses, and at the guide known as Checks & Balances. You can find it online
projects and programs, and the number of staff positions same time, county revenues came up short, to the tune of $74 at www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/pafr, or, you may contact
estimated to fulfill the optimum level of service. million since fiscal year 2019. Gas taxes, the infrastructure them by phone at (561) 355-2468 or by email at ccpbc@
mypalmbeachclerk.com.
As always, please contact me if I can be of assistance
Additional COVID-19 Testing Sites to you by calling (561) 355-2201 or send an email to
mmarino@pbcgov.org.
In Palm Beach County Bill’s Box from page 1

Palm Beach County is reminding the public that both Saturday, Aug. 14: Time Flies
COVID-19 vaccination and testing locations are widely South County Civic Center Just the other day, it seems, school was out for the summer.
available for all Palm Beach County residents. This 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446 It is now back in session. Shores’ families are busy getting
includes most commercial pharmacies, doctors’ offices Open Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. children to and from and tending all the other demands on
and public health sites. Currently Palm Beach County Gardens Branch – PBC Libraries modern day living. In ancient times when I was in grade
and Florida Health are offering testing at the Mid County 11303 Campus Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 school in small-town North Carolina, I got up with the
Senior Center west of Lake Worth. Open Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. chickens, ate a hot breakfast prepared by mom, and walked
This site is open seven days a week during the hours For more information on COVID-19, visit the a short distance down the hill, up a slight grade, across a
listed below: Palm Beach County COVID-19 website (https:// dead-end street onto the ballfield and into the school building;
Mid County Senior Center – Main Auditorium discover.pbcgov.org/coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx) probably 10 minutes. The only extra activity was piano
3980 Lake Worth Road, Palm Springs, FL 33461 or contact the Department of Health COVID-19 call lessons with Pastor Bascom’s wife who was not the best
Open Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. center, available 24/7, at (866) 779-6121 or email teacher for me, who didn’t want to be there in the first place.
Two drive-through testing locations are open as of COVID-19@flhealth.gov. So that didn’t last long. Simpler times.
Well, where I was going with this is about the throngs of
small children on my section of Lake Bend Drive. At one
count, there were 26. I have no children at home, but I enjoy
sitting out front and enjoying the community feeling. I see
and talk with my adult friends who produced all these kids.
Kids talk like kids. If I have conversations with one or two, I
understand what they are saying. Something happens when
they gather in a running pack, then they use a language I do
not recognize. They make sounds in high tones all at the same
times. In tearing off from one spot to another they yell, squeal
and screech. They understand each other in their invented
language. It is a different dialect that their parents know. That
is essential. The good thing I observe is the children when at
home with parents, without the pack, they are conversant in
the English language.
A Change
Last edition did not show a change in the board member
list shown on page two of the newsletter. Cindy Deem is no
longer on the board. Our new member is Brian Martin. He
is a director and replaces Cindy on the ACC Committee.
Fini
Copy deadline for the October issue is Sept. 13. Father
Time is playing tricks. How could it be September, never
mind almost October?

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