Page 10 - Hobe Sound Reflections - August '22

Page 10, Hobe Sound

loCal CommunItY efforts

Government Keep Martin Beautiful
Encourages Residents To Join

The International Coastal
Martin County Property Cleanup Locally
Appraiser

As the end of summer approaches, Keep Martin Beautiful,
Homestead Exemption a local environmental, volunteer-based nonprofit, looks ahead
to one of the largest and most impactful events of the year: the
By Jenny Fields, CFA, International Coastal Cleanup. With Keep Martin Beautiful
Martin County Property serving as the local coordinator, Martin County residents have
Appraiser participated in this unique, global event for more than 25 years.
Homestead exemption Volunteers from around the world unite to remove litter and
is one way to reduce the marine debris from shorelines and waterways. This year’s
amount of real estate taxes cleanup will take place at beaches and waterways throughout
you will pay on your Martin County on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 8 to 11 a.m.
residential property. Spearheaded globally by the Ocean Conservancy, the
In the state of Florida, International Coastal Cleanup has had a significant impact
if you own property and in the 35-plus years since its inception. Since 1986, the event Keep Martin Beautiful International Coastal Cleanup
make the property your has inspired over 17 million volunteers to take action and volunteers during the 2021 cleanup at Jensen Beach
permanent residence as collect more than 348 million pounds of trash from around
of Jan. 1 of the tax year, you may qualify for homestead the world. Just last year, hundreds of thousands of volunteers About Keep Martin Beautiful
exemption and save hundreds of dollars. A common from over 150 countries participated. This is an incredible Keep Martin Beautiful (KMB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
misconception is that you must reside on the property for a opportunity for those in our local area to be a part of this community organization founded in 1994 as an affiliate
certain number of months each year to qualify for homestead global movement. of Keep America Beautiful. Its mission is to preserve and
exemption. There is no specified amount of time you have to “Our waterways are the lifeblood of our community, enhance the quality of life in Martin County through litter
be physically present on the property to qualify for homestead and our volunteers are the heart of our organization. It’s prevention, the promotion of recycling, improvement of
exemption. However, your homestead property must be their energy and commitment to the International Coastal solid waste management practices, and beautification and
considered your primary residence. This means that your Cleanup that makes such a tangible difference in our community revitalization activities. KMB signature events and
official identification documents must reflect your homestead community,” explained Keep Martin Beautiful Executive programs include the Environmental Stewardship Awards,
property address. Director Tiffany Kincaid. “We are so thankful for the hard the International Coastal Cleanup, the Great American
Homestead exemption is $25,000 deducted from your work put forward by our residents to create a more beautiful Cleanup, the Adopt-A-Road and Adopt-A-Street programs,
assessed value, plus an additional $25,000 is deducted from environment and county.” as well as other educational and outreach activities. Find
your home’s assessed value over $75,000. Volunteers must preregister online so event coordinators KMB on Facebook at facebook.com/KeepMartinBeautiful,
Listed below are common things that may cause you to can monitor site distribution and prepare supplies prior to the follow KMB on Twitter at twitter.com/KMBmartin, visit
lose your homestead exemption: event. To ensure their cleanup efforts are fully recognized, KeepMartinBeautiful.org or call (772) 781-1222.
1. Renting your home for more than 30 days per calendar our volunteers are encouraged to download and use the
™
year, for two consecutive years. CleanSwell app. This user-friendly app allows volunteers
2. Maintaining or obtaining an out-of-state residency-based to easily track the litter they collect and report it to the global What Volunteers Need To
tax exemption, reduction, benefit, credit, etc. (i.e. the STAR database. The numbers from the app are used by scientists and
in New York, a veteran’s exemption, the Massachusetts professionals from Ocean Conservancy to analyze patterns Know
Declaration of Homestead, etc.). This requirement applies to across the world.
jointly held property by spouses even if only one applies for The International Coastal Cleanup is also a great • The International Coastal Cleanup targets beaches,
homestead here and the other applies for the out-of-state tax opportunity for environmentally minded businesses and waterways, and parks throughout Martin County.
credit. If you are in this category presently, you must cancel other supporters to show their commitment to our natural • Preregistration is required to ensure volunteers are
your out-of-state tax benefit effective Jan. 1 of the year you environment and our community. Sponsors receive assigned to areas most in need.
apply for homestead exemption in the state of Florida. If either significant exposure through our social media platforms, • An app is available to track the litter from the cleanup.
spouse owns other Florida property, even individually, only digital marketing and promotion of the event, as well as The unique data-gathering feature of this cleanup records
one property can have the homestead exemption. inclusion of their company logo on volunteer T-shirts. For every piece of litter collected.
3. Maintaining or obtaining a driver’s license in any other sponsorship information contact Keep Martin Beautiful at • Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes.
state. A driver’s license is residency based. (772) 781-1222 or info@keepmartinbeautiful.org. • Participants will be provided with cleanup supplies and
4. Failing to register a vehicle in Florida if you drive it here. To register for the cleanup, go to keepmartinbeautiful. a T-shirt (while supplies last).
5. Registering to vote elsewhere. The county you live in org/international-coastal-cleanup.
must be the only place you are registered to vote. You may
elect to file a declaration of domicile instead of registering
to vote, but you still may not register to vote elsewhere.
A homestead exemption is not transferable. If you move,
your homestead exemption does not
follow you to your new residence. You
must file a new homestead exemption
application for your new residence.
If you have questions, please contact
your Martin County Property Appraiser
at (772) 288-5608.

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