As your tax collector, when I took the oath of office, I made a solemn commitment to faithfully execute the duties of my office and to uphold the laws of the state of Florida. My oath of office isn’t a suggestion, it is a binding promise to every taxpayer that I will follow Florida law, even when it is politically inconvenient.
It does not bend to convenience, public pressure, or political disagreement. It is a promise to the taxpayers I serve and one I intend to keep.
There is a current dispute regarding the state-mandated commission charged by the Tax Collector’s Office to the School Board. Let me be clear: this is not a new fee, and it is required by law. Unfortunately, much of the public narrative has suggested otherwise, which has only fueled misunderstanding.
For nearly 24 years, the Sarasota County government has been paying the School Board’s portion of this fee. This practice originated under a prior tax collector who served for nearly half a century. However, after consulting with highly respected CPAs and legal counsel, it became evident that this arrangement did not align with state law, unless the County Commission voluntarily offered to pay the School Board’s share. In a recent County Commission meeting, the board voted unanimously to stop paying the School Board’s portion. Again, this is not a new fee to the Tax Collector’s office, we simply started charging the fee to the School Board instead of the county…