The property tax envelope arrives today
Estimated property tax notices hit mailboxes, a bacteria advisory hits the beach, and the county gets an interim clerk.
Preliminary property-tax notices mail today. A water-quality advisory covers the Town of Palm Beach Municipal Beach north of Worth Avenue, and Palm Beach County has an interim clerk after the elected clerk's suspension.
Palm Beach County's Property Appraiser mails early 2026 tax estimates today. The notice shows the office's current value for each property. It also shows tax breaks and value caps. You will see a list of local taxing groups and their budget hearing dates. These are estimates, not final bills. Cities and other tax groups will hold budget hearings in September. Palm Beach's Town Council plans to review the town budget and tax rates on Sept. 8. A final vote is expected Sept. 17. Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks asked owners to check their property values, tax breaks, proposed taxes and hearing details. Owners can call the appraiser's office if the market value is wrong or a tax break is missing. They may also petition the Value Adjustment Board through Sept. 14. Final tax bills must be mailed by Nov. 1.
Check the water before you check the cooler
The county health department has issued a water warning for Palm Beach Municipal Beach. It covers the beach north of Worth Avenue, in the 300 block of South Ocean Boulevard. Samples were taken Monday, Aug. 17. They showed Enterococcus bacteria above state limits for swimming water. Health officials say people should stay out of the water there. Swimmers face a higher risk of illness. The warning stays in place until new tests show safe levels. Current results appear on Florida's Healthy Beaches site. Questions can go to the county health department at 561-671-4013. Check the latest result before going into the water in that part of town.
Beach chairs get another month of limbo
The Palm Beach Town Council delayed a vote on a beach-furniture permit plan, The Palm Beach Post reports. The plan covers permits for chairs, umbrellas and other items on the sand. The council has not adopted the proposed rules. Residents and beach-service firms can watch future council agendas for the plan's return.
The county clerk's office changed hands this week
Shannon Ramsey-Chessman was sworn in Tuesday as interim Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller. The move came after Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Michael Allen Caruso following his felony arrest. Florida Politics says Ramsey-Chessman had been Caruso's chief of staff. She also served as chief deputy clerk and chief information officer. She is a certified public accountant and government finance officer. She has worked in government for nearly three decades. County Administrator Joe Abruzzo said key clerk services would continue during the change. Caruso faces criminal charges and has denied wrongdoing. The case is not resolved. Ramsey-Chessman now leads the office that handles court records, county financial records and other clerk work.
Planning and Zoning meets Sept. 1
The Palm Beach Planning and Zoning Commission meets Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The meeting is in Council Chambers on the second floor of Town Hall, 360 South County Road.
One school board seat settled, one goes to a runoff
John T. McGovern won the Palm Beach County School Board District 6 race, which covers western communities including Wellington and Loxahatchee. He had more than 55% of the vote Tuesday night with three precincts left to count, the Sun Sentinel reports. District 4 is headed to a Nov. 3 runoff. Christina Romelus led with 40% after all precincts had counted, while Daniel Zapata placed second with 27%. No District 4 candidate cleared the 50% needed to win outright, so Romelus and Zapata advance to the runoff.
Architectural Commission meets Aug. 26
The Palm Beach Architectural Commission meets Wednesday, Aug. 26. The session runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is in Council Chambers on the second floor of Town Hall, 360 South County Road.