The Merchant Strategy Newsletter

NEWSLETTER

November 2025 aa . .

A Note From the President

By Sharon Merchant, CEO & President

I love the fall, winter and spring in Florida. We finally get a break from the heat and humidity. It is a pleasure to walk Cam in the mornings and evenings. Of course, our northern friends love it too, and flock down here in droves. While they do clog up our roads and restaurants, they pay a chunk of our taxes, so I guess it’s a win. I have been busy in Fort Pierce working to get a sand mining project approved by the St. Lucie County Commission. We have some neighbors to win over, but so far, so good!

Inaugural Boat Parade of the Palm Beaches by Sailfish Marina

The inaugural Boat Parade of the Greater Palm Beaches, organized by the Sailfish Marina, will run from the Blue Heron Bridge south to Safe Harbor Rybovich, turn north and travel up to North Palm Beach on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Organized and produced by the Sailfish Marina on Singer Island, the Boat Parade of the Greater Palm Beaches, will take place Saturday, Dec. 13 and is slated to feature approximately 50 vessels decked out in lights, along with costumed captains and crews. They are still accepting boat entries for the parade. The event will benefit The Little Smiles Annual Holiday Toy Drive, a mission to collect thousands of new, unwrapped toys for local children in need. Toys can be dropped off at the marina and at other posted sites.

Where: The parade begins at Sailfish Marina, 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, works south to the West Palm Beach, turns north at Safe Harbor Rybovitch, cruises along west side of ICW up to North Palm Beach

When: 6 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2025

Cost: Viewing free. Sailfish Marina pre-parade VIP party: Adults $75, ages 10 and

younger $35.

More information here!

Property Taxes

Last month Sharon explained a bit about what our property taxes fund, such as police, fire, schools, and more. A number of bills have been filed to address limits, exemptions and full repeals. There are sure to be unintended consequences that will need to be addressed over time. Here are some of the House and Senate bills filed to date (more to come), all of which require a constitutional amendment. Some may be on the ballot for voters to decide and will require at least 60% to approve:

HB 215 Any vote to increase a property tax rate would require two thirds vote.
HB 201 All non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties would be eliminated 1/1/27.
HB 203 Non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties would be phased out over 10 years. The exemption would increase $100,000 in assessed value each year.
HB 205 Non-school property taxes for homestead property owners over 65 years of age is eliminated.
HB 207 The current homestead exemption would increase to 25% of assessed value.
HB 209 Those with homestead exemption and property insurance would get their exemption increased by $100,000.
HB 211 The $500,000 cap on transferring the homestead exemption from one property to another would be eliminated.
HB 213 The 3% cap on annual growth in assessed value for homestead properties and 10% cap on non-homestead properties would be lowered to 35 over 3 years and 15%over 3 years respectively.
SB 276 Any person who has held legal title real property and, made such property his or her permanent residence for 30 years or more, qualifies to receive a homestead exemption and has paid all ad valorem taxes due on the property is entitled to an exemption equal to 50% of the assessed value of the property, other than school district levies.

PALM BEACH COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL (ACC) FUND RAISER

Students at Sommerset Academy Canyons Animal Rescue Club in Boynton Beach are hosting a supply drive to help collect supplies for our furry friends at Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control through November 21, 2025. Anytime after that, please contact Eileen Watts directly for a drop off at Ewatts@snet.net. The attached graphic has a QR code where you can order the needed supplies directly from Amazon. On December 1 , 2025, the students will tour ACC and deliver all the donated items. ACC is the county shelter and cannot turn away any animal. They are often overwhelmed and need our help. Thanks, students!!

Cam’s 2 Cents

My Aunt Colleen and Uncle Greg came to stay with me and Mom. They mainly came to see me. I helped Uncle Greg watch lots of football. He sneaked me a couple tastes of beer when he thought Mom was not looking. Aunt Colleen took me on lots of walks and gave the best scratches ever! We also walked in a 5 K for Zoe Loren and I got a medal! I sure like having company. After they left, Mom went to watch her Seminoles get their butts kicked at Clemson. I was supposed to stay home, but Mom let me stay with Miss Liannis. I LOVE it there! There are dogs for me to run and play with every day, pretty much all day. I wear myself out. I am a lucky girl with a great life. But… if anyone wants to stop by and share lunch, I am always available! That’s all for now.

Cam 🐾