Constitutional Tax Collector Anne M. Gannon announced on November 1 that Palm Beach County property tax bills had been mailed out, marking the start of the 2024 property tax season. Tax payments are due by March 31, 2025, however property owners can save up to 4% if they pay their taxes by November 30; up to 3% in December, 2% in January and 1% in February. There is no discount for those who pay in March.

In preparation for the 2024 property tax season, the organization has launched a newly redesigned website, www.pbctax.gov, where property owners can take advantage of convenient online payment options. Online payments will be processed in one to three business days. Property owners paying online can use eCheck, a free service in which money is electronically transferred from their checking account. Credit and debit cards are also accepted, with a 2.4% convenience fee collected by the payment processor, and not retained by the Tax Collector.

Tax payments can also be made via the following methods:

• By mail: Please allow up to 15 days for bank processing time (excluding mail delivery time).

• Wire transfers: visit www.pbctax.gov/wires for more information.

• By drop box: All six Tax Collector Service Centers provide secure payment drop boxes in the lobby, accessible Monday through Friday 8:15 AM to 5:00 PM. Payments must be sealed in the envelope, and cash is not accepted.

It is important to note that failure to receive a bill due to lost or delayed mail does not excuse the property owner from their obligation to pay the tax, as per Florida Statute 197.122. Taxes not paid by March 31, 2025 will become delinquent effective April 1, 2025.

Taxpayers are encouraged to visit www.pbctax.gov for complete details about property taxes as well as information for enrolling in the Installment Payment Plan for future tax year payments. It is too late to enroll in this year’s Installment Payment Plan as enrollment closed last April, but applications for future year’s taxes are available now through April 30 by visiting www.pbctax.gov/IPP.

SEACOAST TO CONDUCT WATER SERVICE LINE INVENTORY

Although Seacoast Utility Authority has no lead service lines (and never has), federal drinking water regulations require that all public drinking water utilities (including Seacoast) document service piping materials. As a result, Seacoast crews will physically inspect each of their 427 service connections and document the service line materials in use at each connection. Beginning at 7:00 AM on Saturday, October 18, and continuing through the rest of the month of October, crews will be in the entire service area, and they will excavate the lines on both the inlet and outlet sides of the meter, document the materials, and take photographs of each excavated pipe.

Seacoast Utility Authority and the Town of Lake Park apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact Seacoast at 561-627-2900 regarding any issues or questions you may have.

HOW TO APPLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE IF YOU WERE IMPACTED BY HURRICANE MILTON

As the result of Hurricane Milton and the resulting tornadoes, Palm Beach County has  been approved for approved for Category A FEMA assistance for individual assistance as well as for Category B FEMA public assistance. If you have been affected by Hurricane Milton, following is information on how to apply for FEMA assistance.

Homeowners and renters who were impacted by the Hurricane Milton and the accompanying tornadoes may be eligible for FEMA assistance. FEMA may be able to help you pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other needs caused by the disaster, including:

Lifesaving and life-sustaining items including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, medical supplies and equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation

Rent if you are displaced because of the disaster, and money to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options while you look for a rental unit

Repair or replacement of a vehicle, appliances, room furnishings and a personal or family computer, as well as books, uniforms, tools, computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment

Moving and storage fees, medical expenses, childcare and funeral expenses

There are four ways to apply:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
• Download the FEMA App
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM Central Time. Help is available in most languages; if you use a relay services such as a video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, give FEMA your number for that service.
• Apply in person at a Disaster Recovery Service. For locations and hours, visit fema.gov/drc.

When you apply, you will be asked to provide:

• A description of the damage
• Your address at the time of the disaster
• Your Social Security number
• Contact information
• If you have insurance, your policy number, agent or company
• Annual household income
• Your bank account information for direct deposit

If you have insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA can’t pay for losses your insurance will cover.

To watch an accessible video about how to apply, visit FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance - YouTube.

For help with any step of the application process, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. 

Good practices help protect our environment and keep our communities clean.

• Whether from cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, recreational vehicles or lawn mowers, DIY mechanics know that fuels, lubricants, antifreeze and filters should not be mixed or thrown in the garbage. Do-it-yourselfers should bring these items to one of seven Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Home Chemical and Recycling Centers or to any number of local service stations and auto parts stores that accept these waste fluids, as well as used oil filters.

• The SWA has locations in Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Belle Glade, Royal Palm Beach, Lantana, West Delray Beach and East Delray Beach. All facilities are open Monday through Friday, and at least part of the day on Saturday. Hours vary by location.

• To prevent spills, transport used motor fluids in the oil change containers sold at retail stores or in clean plastic containers with a lid. Clearly label all containers and never mix used oil with any other liquids, including water.

• One cup of spilled motor oil can contaminate more than 62,000 gallons of fresh water, so keep sand or kitty litter handy in case a spill occurs.

• More disposal information, including the operating hours of each location, can be found online at SWA.org/HCRC or by calling 561-697-2700 or 866-SWA-INFO (toll-free). Commercial disposal must follow special guidelines. Call 561-687-1100 to learn more.

CODE ENFORCEMENT LAW PROHIBITS ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS

Effective July 1, 2021, complaints of alleged code violations are required by law to contain the name and address of the complainant. Anonymous complaints are no longer permitted by law and shall not be investigated. The only exception to this law is if the complaint is in regard to an alleged violation that may present an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources. To read the full text of the new code enforcement law, please click here.

A MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF BRADSHAW ON PHONE SCAMS

 Please watch the video below for information regarding how to avoid becoming a victim of a phone scam.

https://youtu.be/JBdIXE8G6xc