Page 8 - Palm City Spotlight - December '22

Page 8, Palm City Spotlight

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Martin County Tax Collector fee, which we get no part of. We also offer a private
personal link for “confidential” taxpayers.
By Ruth “Ski” Payment may be made by mail (postmark determines
Pietruszewski, Martin the discount period), dropped off at our drive-through
County Tax Collector window at the Palm City branch, dropped off in our
People come from all convenient drop boxes at all of our four locations or in
walks of life and have our after-hours 24/7/365 lockbox at our drive-through
all different types of window at the Palm City location.
lifestyles. We try to help For those taxpayers who like to walk in and hand
our constituents have a deliver their tax payment, we are ready and staffed to
better quality of life by take your payments quickly and efficiently. We have
offering different payment a “tax payment express” office set up in our business
options to accommodate collections department at our Willoughby location (next
their lifestyle, relieving to our DMV office).
their stress and lessening the financial burden. Let’s talk Please look for the large blue banner.
about property tax, since usually that is an individual’s
largest bill. Over $5 million in net income was earned
this year above our operating costs by our office through
effective management, increased efficiencies, and
motivated teamwork. The funds were distributed to the
taxing authorities of Martin County to help keep the
burden of the taxes off our rooftops.
The option that gives you the lowest cost is to pay your
entire property tax bill in the 4 percent discount period in
one lump sum; however, some people are unable to come
up with that large amount of money at one time. We have
added Paypal as a new payment option to online property
tax payments.
The best alternative if the individual needs to make
payments is the installment plan. This plan almost gives Gertrude Walden Child Care Center
you the same cost as paying the entire bill at one time, Thanksgiving Feast
except you are paying your taxes in advance. The first Gertrude Walden Child Care Center prepared a delicious
year installments may be a little difficult, unless you are A taxpayer may walk in to any of our four convenient Thanksgiving feast for the community and fed lots of families
a new property owner and choose this option for your first locations and we are ready to serve you. Express lines are in our community. Ruth “Ski” Pietruszewski, Martin County
tax bill, but once the property is put on the installment set up at all four offices: Hobe Sound, Palm City, Stuart, Tax Collector, helped serve and prepare the meals at this
cycle, this option really gives you almost the same value and Indiantown. We are here and waiting to serve and help remarkable event and counted her blessings.
as paying one lump sum, while you make four smaller with whatever option you choose. We offer new contactless
payments instead of one large lump payment. payment options in the main office and branches which
For individuals who are self-employed or live on straight include, cash, check, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay,
commission, we offer a partial payment plan. On this plan credit card, and PIN debit, with point-to-point encryption
the taxpayer may make as many payments and any amount for your security and automatic emails alerting you if your
they can afford, as long as the entire amount is paid in full property ownership has changed in any way since the
by April 1. If unable to pay the full amount on time, by previous tax year, for your protection.
making a partial payment, the required delinquent penalty We continue to look for efficiencies, conveniences, and
will be computed on a lower amount. If unable to pay the ways to best serve the taxpayers better and save tax dollars
full amount plus the penalties before the tax certificate while improving services. Make the best choice for you!
sale, the amount of the certificate sold on the property will
be lower; therefore, the taxpayer will be paying interest to Marine Corps Toys For Tots
a certificate holder on a lower amount. The downside to Martin County Tax Collector Offices at 3695 S.E.
this plan is that the individual loses all discounts and each Willoughby Blvd., Stuart, 3001 S.W. Martin Downs Blvd., Pictured left to right: Thelma Washington, City of Stuart
payment made requires an additional $10 fee. Palm City, and 11734 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound Chief of Police Joseph Tumminelli, Jimmy Smith, and Ruth
We also offer several different payment options. The will be collection sites for Toys For Tots. Pietruszewski, Martin County Tax Collector
quickest, easiest, and cheapest is online. Scanning the Please drop off a new unwrapped toy and help brighten
QR code on your tax bill will take you directly to your a child’s Christmas! Local Government on page 9
own tax bill on our website to make a payment or sign
up for an email bill for next year. For your protection,
we have automated emails that alert the taxpayer if any Volunteers Help Make Big Taste Of
change has been made to their ownership since the last
tax year. If you’ve lost or misplaced your bill, just go to Martin County A Huge Success!
our home page on https://martintaxcollector.com, click on
PAYMENT MENU, and our pay hub will come up with a By Jackie Holfelder
page where you can easily pay any of our online services, The Big Taste of Martin County is a premier event that
or just call #TAX or 288-5600 and request your tax bill needs lots of hands to make it the annual success it is.
to be emailed or mailed to you. E-checks are free. Credit This year, the major fundraiser for Big Brothers Big
cards are also offered online; however, the credit card Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties (BBBSPBMC)
processing company charges a 2.5 percent convenience took place on October 11 at Atlantic Aviation in Stuart.
Volunteers were key to the smooth flow of the event. They
Why Pay More To Sell? performed such tasks as engaging restaurants and sponsors,
helping highlight the organization’s mission, manning
registration tables, assisting with the auction, selling raffle
tickets, and delivering items to the auction winners.
Those who offered their time and talent to make The
Big Taste a sold-out success were Addison Higgins, Amber
Even with 23 years of Llyver, Ashley Byrd, Ashley Martin, Barb White, Beth Volunteers Susy Deutsch, Eva Anderson, Debra George
experience, my fees Leahy, Cathy Glover (Alumni board member), Chandler
are still low Kerrigan, Clara Knapfel, Cole Knapfel, David Hall (board attendance, raising money for mentoring programs.
member), Dean Higgins, Deb George (board member), Almost $14,000 was generated just from the raffle and
SELL YOUR HOME Diane Frazer, Eva Anderson, James Russell (board member), auction, attesting to the great job all the volunteers did.
Jamie Law, John Shupenko, Joyce Leinberger (Alumni board “This year is our first sold out Big Taste! It was great to
Using the latest and most advanced member), Julia Higgins, Kerrie Higgins, Kerry Soviero, Kim be around so many businesses and individuals who support
marketing technologies Capen (Alumni board member), Kristina Almy, Larry Green our work in youth mentoring,” said Yvette Flores Acevedo,
CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin
(Alumni board member), Laura Spillman, Liane Proveniers,
Call Jim at Lindsey Fischer, Lou Benson (board member), Margie Counties.
Cadieux, Mary White (board member), Mike Powers (board
Even if you missed this year’s Big Taste, donations can
772-341-2941 member), Oliva Knapfel, Pamela Hendler, Patty Morris, R.J. be made online at www.mentorbig.org. Help BBBSPBMC
Costello, Riley Davis, Sandra Kanter, Sandy Bailey (board continue to impact lives of young children in the community.
member) and Susy Deutsch.
Jim Weix, Broker Associate Known as the premier food festival of the Treasure
309 SE Osceola St., Suite 204, Stuart Coast, this year the in-person event had 700-plus in
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