May 2022, Vol. 16, Issue  5

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Dear Friends:

Summer is right around the corner so now is the perfect time to think about all the things you want to do during the upcoming months.  Hopefully, this summer affords us all a better opportunity and environment to enjoy vacations away from home, perhaps time at the beach or just enjoying a “staycation” with family and friends.  For me, summer means getting in some early morning weekend gardening or biking before it gets too sunny and hot.

Whatever your summer passion is, I hope this year, you can enjoy it and create some lasting memories.

Sincerely,

Anne M. Gannon
Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County

COMPASSION FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Our employees at the Constitutional Tax Collector’s Office have a strong commitment to public service. More  than our jobs, it’s about giving back to our community. Every two years, two local charities are chosen for our Community Involvement Partner Program. Currently, we are supporting Making Every Day Count and Living Hungry. Due to the immense compassion of my team, we raised $21,628.50 in support of these organizations.

I am extremely proud of the generosity demonstrated by my team year after year. Every dollar raised and items donated come directly from employees, no public tax dollars are used. Funds are raised through the office’s Dress Down for Charity program and other fundraising activities throughout the year.

For more information visit https://www.pbctax.com/about-us/community-involvement

Once again, I am pleased to share with you the 2020/21 Annual Report, which highlights important agency benchmarks and transaction trends.  Did you know that in fiscal year 2020/21, more than $4.2 billion in property tax revenues was collected and distributed to the individual taxing authorities throughout the county? Those funds support critical local public resources, such as libraries, park districts, fire and emergency services and environmental projects.

To learn more about this, and other information in the Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2020/21, visit www.pbctax.com/annual-report.

30th ANNIVERSARY OF PALM BEACH PRIDE

 This spring, the TCO outreach team and I have excitedly returned to community events, and most recently attended the Palm Beach Pride event. The family-friendly festival attracted 30,000 attendees to Lake Worth Beach over the last weekend in March, and the event organizer, Compass Community Center, and host city, Lake Worth Beach, brought it back better than ever for the 30th anniversary event. I participated in the festivities with other elected officials in the Sunday morning parade down Lake Avenue, which wrapped up in the Bryant Park festival grounds overlooking the Lake Worth Lagoon. I enjoyed interacting with constituents and clients, along with the TCO outreach team, which was on hand to answer client questions and provide educational materials about agency services. Since I was elected in 2006, I have been proudly supporting Compass and the important work they do for our community. I encourage you to learn more about the resources that the Compass Community Center provides to members of the LGBTQ community in Palm Beach County here: www.compassglcc.com. And if your community group, civic or homeowner association has an event coming up, let us know about it by filling out this form on our website. See you soon!

MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

Spring is in the air and what better way to celebrate National Bike Month than enjoying the great outdoors and riding your bike on one of Palm Beach County’s many bike paths.  Before you head out on your bike, here are some tips that will help you enjoy your ride and stay safe!

• Have your bike checked over by your local bike shop
• Always wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a crash
• Ride in the right-most lane that goes in the direction that you are travelling
• Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings
• Look before you change lanes or signal a turn; indicate your intention, then act
• Be visible at all times; wear bright clothing and if biking at night equip with bike lights

Biking is a fun way to exercise and enjoy the beautiful Florida scenery!  For more information on bike paths in Palm Beach County parks, please visit Palm Beach County Bike Paths.