Page 4 - The Shores of Jupiter - September '21

Page 4, The Shores

of portability, deferrals, and change of present evidence in support of the property valuation,
ownership or control determinations. All denied exemption, etc., depending on the issue. You will
final rulings are determined by the VAB. have another opportunity to comment before the end of
the hearing.
Dear Taxpayer: Filing A Petition Keep in mind, although the decision of the magistrate
Happy autumn! is binding, the hearing itself is an informal process. The
My office once again Florida law sets the deadlines for filing a petition on VAB will mail you a written copy of its final decision.
asks that all visitors wear or before the 25th day following the mailing of the notice Regardless of the outcome of your hearing, you must pay
facial coverings and from our office. This year’s deadline is Sept. 13. These all or the required portion of your taxes by April 1 to keep
practice social distancing deadlines do not change, even if you choose to discuss your petition valid and avoid additional cost and fees.
while indoors on county the issue with our office. The VAB may charge $15-plus After The Hearing
property. We continue for filing a petition. The VAB must issue all final decisions within 20
to implement measures PDF petition forms are available on our website or calendar days of the last day it was in session. You may
to ensure the health online petition filing is available through the Clerk of file a lawsuit in circuit court if you do not agree with the
and safety of our staff, the Circuit Court and Comptroller. VAB’s decision.
while also maintaining Once a petition is filed, you will receive a notice For more information about the VAB in Palm Beach
the highest level of safe with the date, time, and location of your hearing at least County, email vab@mypalmbeachclerk.com or call them
service to the taxpayers of Palm Beach County. 25 days before your hearing date. You can reschedule at (561) 355-6289.
By now, all property owners in Palm Beach County your hearing once for good cause. If your hearing is
have received their 2021 Notice of Proposed Property rescheduled, the clerk will send notice at least 15 days Property Appraiser’s
Taxes and Assessments from my office. Remember this is before the rescheduled hearing.
not a bill, but rather an estimate of your taxes based on the Fifteen days prior to the scheduled petition hearing, Office Earns Certificate Of
proposed tax rates, your property value and exemptions. you are required to provide our office with a list and
The next stage in the tax roll process is the petition summary of evidence that you will present at the hearing. Excellence
filing period. Property owners have the option to appeal You can submit your evidence electronically through the
their property’s assessment or denial of portability before Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. Seven days The Palm Beach County
the county’s Value Adjustment Board (VAB), which before the VAB hearing, our office is required to provide Property Appraiser’s Office
is administered by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and you with a list and summary of evidence, which will be has earned the Certificate of
Comptroller. Florida law sets the value petition filing presented at the hearing. Excellence in Assessment
period, which begins when the notices are mailed and The Hearing Administration (CEAA) from
ends 25 days later. This year’s deadline to file a petition At the VAB hearing, you may represent yourself or the International Association
is Sept. 13. seek assistance from a professional. Some examples of of Assessing Officers
Also highlighted in this month’s newsletter is the great professional representation might include an attorney, (IAAO). This recognition is
news that our office has been awarded the Certificate a licensed real estate appraiser or broker, or a certified the highest professional honor
of Excellence in Assessment Administration from the public accountant. If someone who is not a licensed for an assessment jurisdiction
International Association of Assessing Officers. I am professional represents you, you must sign the petition offered by the IAAO, as it
so proud that our office has achieved this prestigious or provide written authorization or power of attorney for recognizes those who utilize best appraisal and assessment
recognition in service to you, the people of Palm Beach your representative. practices in their offices.
County. During the hearing, a special magistrate will ask you “Achieving the CEAA was not easy,” said Palm Beach
Respectfully, to present your evidence and testimony in support of your County Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks, CFA, AAS. “But it
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, AAS, petition. In most cases, to win a reduction in appraised simply underscores our commitment to providing the absolute
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser value before the VAB, you must prove that the county’s best service to the people of Palm Beach County.”
We Value What You Value appraisal of your property exceeded market value and According to one judge, Palm Beach County’s application
explain why. A representative from our office will then for the CEAA was, “The best submission that I have graded …
The Value Adjustment Board This could be a model for future CEAA applicants.”
The CEAA evaluates an entire jurisdiction rather than an
Process individual, so the requirements place a strong emphasis on
teamwork and group achievement. Jurisdictions that earn the
If you feel that the market value of your property is inaccurate CEAA demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the assessment
or does not reflect fair market value as of January 1 or you are and appraisal disciplines to both their constituents and their peers.
entitled to an exemption or classification that is not reflected on
the 2021 Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, contact our office Holiday Office Closure
for an informal review. Call us at (561) 355-3230 and we will
connect you with an appraiser or exemption specialist to discuss The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
your concerns. If we are unable to resolve the matter, you have the (including all of our service centers) will be closed in
right to file a petition for adjustment with the Value Adjustment observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 6.
Board (VAB).
The VAB is administered by Palm Beach County’s Clerk
of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, which is independent of
the property appraiser’s office. The Board is made up of five CAMPBELL AND KARLIK, P.A.
individuals: two from the county’s board of commissioners,
one from the county’s school board, and two citizen members. ATTORNEYS AT LAW
They approve and use special magistrates, who are experienced
in property appraisal techniques or legal matters, to conduct
hearings and recommend decisions to the VAB for final approval.
Special magistrates will review property valuation, denials Wills • Trusts • Estate Planning • Probate
Taxation • Real Estate • Corporations
Palm Beach

County Railroad

Crossings/Lane

Closures

By County Commissioner Maria Marino
Jupiter – Riverside Drive And Alternate A1A
Daytime flagging operations, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to move
materials for bridge construction, continuing through
summer 2021. Crossings may be closed briefly (1 to 2
minutes) as trucks enter and exit the right of way. Diane L. KarLiK
Jupiter – Loxahatchee River
Daytime pile driving operations, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
Monday through Sunday, continuing through October
2021 to install temporary work trestles (platforms) for Tel: (561) 625-5220
cranes on the east and west sides of the existing bridge 3450 Northlake Boulevard Suite 210 Fax: (561) 625-5201• Mobile: (561) 797-5004
(north bank). Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33403 EMail: dlkarlik@aol.com