Page 6 - Abacoa Community News - December '21
P. 6

Page 6, Abacoa

       goverNmeNt


       Tax Talk



      Dear Friends,                                                                                        a 7.2 magnitude earthquake; days later it was battered by
         It goes without saying                                                                            Tropical Storm Grace. After hearing the news our team was
      that 2021 was another                                                                                eager to help. We are proud that our team raised $1,685 to
      challenging year as we                                                                               help those impacted by these events. This money was given to
      continued to deal with the                                                                           the nonprofit Hope for Haiti to aid in the relief and restoration
      COVID-19 pandemic. With                                                                              efforts for the people of Haiti.
      the availability of vaccines                                                                            Employees hold fundraising activities throughout the
      and more and more people                                                                             year, with the most recent being a Pumpkin Decorating
      getting vaccinated, we are                                                                           Contest. The proceeds of the contest went to our charitable
      hopefully seeing the results as                                                                      partner, Making Every Day Count, who are committed to
      fewer cases, hospitalizations,                                                                       raising funds so Palm Beach County Family and Delinquency
      and deaths are reported. I am                         How about animal encounters on land? With visits to   Drug  Courts  can  give  youth  and  families  affected  by
      hopeful that 2022 will continue this trend and COVID-19 will   Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach and Gumbo   addiction a second chance.
      not be the driving force of how we live our lives. Through it   Limbo in Boca Raton you can learn more about the sea life      Stay tuned, in the coming weeks employees will be
      all, my focus has been and will remain the health and safety   that calls Palm Beach County home. To see Florida’s state   participating in a sock drive to donate to our community
      of my employees and our clients.                   marine mammal, take a trip to Manatee Lagoon in Rivera   partner Living Hungry to ensure that homeless children have
         As we round out 2021, I want to wish you a very happy   Beach which features hands-on exhibits and an observation   access to clean socks. Living Hungry works to eliminate food
      and healthy holiday season and hope this year, you are able   deck to spot manatees. Don’t want to get out of your car?   insecurity experienced by local homeless schoolchildren.
      to enjoy the season with family and friends.       Loxahatchee’s Lion Country Safari, Florida’s only drive-
                                              Sincerely,  through safari park, allows you to see lions, giraffes, rhinos   Important Dates And
                                       Anne M. Gannon,   and more without ever leaving your car.
                               Constitutional Tax Collector,      Our outdoor parks and recreation sites aren’t the only   Deadlines
                               Serving Palm Beach County  place you’ll find trees. Visit the only 35-foot-tall, 700-ton
                                                         holiday sand tree, Sandi, at the Waterfront in Downtown West   Dec. 24 and 27
      Plan Ahead: Save Time And                          Palm Beach! Ever seen a 100-foot Christmas tree? Just take     Dec. 31*
                                                                                                             Winter holiday – Offices closed
                                                         a trip to Delray Beach to see one of Palm Beach County’s
      Money                                              largest holiday displays that has been illuminating downtown      Deadline for Property Tax 3
                                                         for the past 27 years.                               percent discount
         During the upcoming holiday season, we know that our                                              Dec. 31*
      clients are busy. Special recipes to prepare and gifts to shop   Our Charitable Giving                  Deadline to make IPP Installment
      for, there’s so much to do before the end of the year. Clients                                          Payment No. 3
      can still save time and money by paying their property      ’Tis the season for giving and helping others. Every two   Dec.  31
      taxes early. A 3 percent discount is available if you pay   years our agency selects two local nonprofit organizations      New Year’s Eve – Offices Closed
      your property tax by Dec. 31. The discount offer decreases   to support through our Community Involvement Partner   * Florida Statute extends discount/payment deadlines falling
      by one percent each month, before expiring Feb. 28, 2022.   program. This program is driven by employees and all   on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday to the next business day.
      All property tax payments must be received by March 31 to   items donated and funds raised generously come from them.   Payment(s) must be received in our office by 5 p.m. or online
      avoid delinquency.                                 Currently, we have partnered with Making Every Day Count   by 11:59 p.m., EST, on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.
         Pay online quickly and securely at pbctax.com by   and Living Hungry.
      eCheck, credit or debit card. eCheck, or electronic check, is      Our dedication to serving others sometimes goes beyond
      a free service allowing you to pay directly from your bank   national borders. Back in early August, Haiti was struck by
      account, using your bank’s routing number and your checking
      or savings account number, so have those handy before
      MasterCard, American Express and Discover. A 2.4 percent  Oxbridge Academy on the Move
      you log on. If using a credit or debit card, we accept Visa,
      processing fee will be collected by the card processing
      vendor, and not retained by our office. For online payments,   What does an acclaimed co-educational, independent  newly appointed athletic director Stan Ross, also the
      bank processing times average between one to three business   school – known for instilling values, building  boys’ lacrosse coach. “Oxbridge paused the football
      days, depending on your financial institution. For details   character, emphasizing diversity, and creating a  program in 2018 with some safety concerns with some
      about these payment methods, and other options, such as   curriculum suited for individual choice – do when  of the games on the schedule and other reorganization
      wire transfers, visit pbctax.com/payment-options.   it reaches its 10-year milestone? In the case of  decisions.” Ross adds. “COVID-19 delayed our plans
         *Keep in mind that processing times noted in the chart   Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach it adds a  a little, however we feel we are ready for the return of
      are in addition to mail handling or delivery times through
      the United States Postal Service or your courier of choice.   middle school for grades seven and eight and brings  football as a junior varsity sport next fall and varsity
      Payments are not accepted by phone.                 back one of its signature athletic programs, football  competition in the years to come.”
                                                          along with a return of its cheerleading team. The
                                                          Oxbridge Academy Middle School opened its doors  The athletic program also includes baseball,
                                                          in August and football is set to return to campus in  basketball, cross-country, equestrian, golf, lacrosse,
                                                          the fall of 2022.                                sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, track & field,
                                                                                                           tennis, girls volleyball, and girls flag football. Over
                                                          “When we began planning for our 10-year anniversary  the years, many Oxbridge student-athletes have
                                                          and identified ways to build on our strong foundation,  received scholarships to play at the next level in
                                                          a  middle school and bringing back our football  college.
                                                          program were a big part of the conversation,”
                                                          explained Oxbridge Head of School Ralph Maurer.  Academically, Oxbridge boasts an average class
                                                          The school’s 10-year milestone also coincided with  size of 14, a 9:1 student/faculty ratio, and a faculty
                                                          several other important factors: more families moving  of which 77% have advanced degrees, including
                                                          into the area and an increasing demand for private  13% with doctorates. Oxbridge is also proud of its
                                                          school education. The timing is right, and so is the  unique, signature programs: Artificial Intelligence
                                                          mission.                                         (AI), Aviation, Cambridge (England) Scholars, and
                                                                                                           Independent Research. The school’s Model U.N. and
                                                          “Adding middle school grades means preparing  debate teams and its theater students consistently
                                                          students at a younger age to  be world  citizens  receive statewide awards and recognition. The
                                                          and future leaders who are caring, confident,  number of extra-curricular options grows as students
                                                          compassionate, critical thinkers,” Maurer continues.  are encouraged to bring new ideas for clubs. Oxbridge
       See Palm Beach County This                         “It gives younger students from all walks of life the  also emphasizes community service, which includes
                                                          opportunity to benefit from a culture that nurtures  tutoring students, clothing and toy drives, and beach
       Holiday Season                                     and instills values such as integrity, honesty, respect,  clean ups.
                                                          and gratitude. It will help them develop character and
          With kids out of school and family visiting, now is the   discover their passions at an earlier age and prepare  It’s your turn to discover Oxbridge.
       perfect time to get out enjoy the Florida “winter” and visit   them for a seamless transition to our high school.”
       one of Palm Beach County’s many outdoor recreational spots.                                         For more information about Oxbridge Academy,
          Looking for the perfect beach? With 47 miles of coastline,   “Bringing back our football program adds another  e-mail admission@oapb.org or call (561) 972-9826.
       you’ll find the beach that is right for you! Did you know Palm   fantastic athletic program and enhances opportunities
       Beach County has the third-largest barrier reef system in the   for our student body and school spirit,” explains
       world? Take a snorkeling or diving trip at Phil Foster Park,
       Peanut Island or Coral Cove Park and be on the lookout for                                Paid Advertisement
       sea turtles and tropical fish!
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