Hello, I’m Robin Hart, and I am running for the office of Tax Collector in Madison County, FL. I am excited to tell you a little bit about myself and my experience. I have dedicated the past 19 years of my career to the Tax Collector's Office, currently serving as the Assistant Tax Collector for the past three years. As the only candidate with State Certification as a Tax Collector since 2008, I bring a wealth of professional experience to the office of Tax Collector. I am committed to our community and I am eager to continue to serve our amazing community as your next Madison County Tax Collector.
I’m excited to share that this year marks my 40th wedding anniversary with my husband, Bill. We have two wonderful daughters, Danielle and Jennifer, along with nine amazing grandchildren who bring so much joy to our lives.
Question 1. Is there an area where the present system isn’t equally accessible to all citizens?
Answer – The services provided to the citizens by the Madison County Tax Collector’s Office currently are accessible to all citizens in various ways from in person visits to the office and online services.
• The Madison County Tax Collector’s Office is accessible Monday thru Friday between the hours of (8:00am to 4:30pm - Tags & Titles), and between the hours of (8:30am to 4:00pm - Driver’s Licenses)
• The office currently offers the following services to residents of Madison County, and the State of Florida; Drivers License Services, License Plate and Registration Services, Vehicle/Vessel/Trailer Title Services, Sales Tax Services, Business License and Collection of Property Taxes, and Hunting and Fishing Licenses
• Online Services Available:
1. www.gorenew.com (Renewal of License Plates and Registrations)
2. www.madisontc.com (Collection of Property Taxes)
• Madison County Tax Collector’s Office also has a convenient after hours drop box located in front of the Tax Collector’s Office. This allows citizens to drop renewals and payments off after hours for citizens who are unable to go online or make it into the office during operating hours.
Question 2. How do the revenues collected impact the local budget, and what priorities do you believe should be funded through tax revenues?
Answer – The Madison County Tax Collector's Office functions as a budget office. It submits budget requests necessary for its operations, but any funding requirements must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The Department of Revenue determines the monthly revenue allocations distributed by the tax collector to various taxing authorities. As a result, the tax collector's office does not receive funding directly from tax revenues.
As in any office setting, growth and development are many times a want versus a need. I would like to see expansion of our office in order to accommodate CDL testing and licensing. However that growth comes with a price and requests which are submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for approval. While growth, technology improvements are included in my ideas for the Madison Tax Collector’s Office, they are tasks which I feel should be closely monitored and approved by not only the board of county commissioners, but the citizens of Madison County as well.
Question 3. What are your priorities for the Tax Collector's office in the coming years, and how do you plan to address the challenges you foresee?
Answer – My top priority for the tax collector’s office in the coming years is to expand and enhance the services we provide to better meet the needs of our growing community. Currently, I am working closely with state officials, the tax collector, and the board of county commissioners to introduce CDL and Concealed Carry services, which will provide greater convenience and accessibility for residents. These services are essential for supporting both our local workforce and personal safety.
In addition to service expansion, I’m focused on improving the efficiency of the office through technological upgrades, streamlining processes, and increasing access to online services. This will reduce wait times, improve overall customer satisfaction, and allow citizens to handle their transactions more easily.
One of the challenges I foresee is the increasing demand for services as our population grows, along with the need to stay up to date with ever-evolving technology. To address this, I plan to implement comprehensive staff training, ensuring our team is well-prepared to adapt to new systems and serve the public efficiently. I will also continue to collaborate with local and state leaders to secure the necessary resources to keep our office modern and responsive.
Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that the tax collector’s office not only meets but exceeds the expectations of the community by providing fast, reliable, and innovative services.
Madison County is my home and a place I love. I have raised my family here and continue to live and work in the amazing community that is full of wonderful people.
I want the very best for our community and citizens and have proven myself through dedication in service over the past 19 years to our great community.
Let my experience work for you!
I humbly ask for your vote on November the 5th, 2024
Respectively, Robin Hart
Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Robin Hart, Democratic Candidate, for Tax Collector of Madison County.