Message from Commissioner Aaronson

Sheila, my staff – my chief aide Mary Lou, my assistant Vivian and my secretary Meaghan, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish our Jewish constituents a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Last March, I received a letter from Ms. Julie Jones, Executive Director of Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles advising that driver license services were being transitioned to Tax Collectors throughout the state.  Tax Collector Anne Gannon was preparing to provide the services in five locations in Palm Beach County – West Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Belle Glade, North County and Lantana.  Ms. Jones also advised that the Delray Beach office would be closing and ultimately, south county drivers would be serviced at a new Lantana office. 

The residents of District 5 deserved better than having to travel to Lantana for driver license services. I immediately asked staff to begin reviewing locations in South County to see if a solution could be found.  The County’s Facilities Director Audrey Wolf presented a plan that would provide the needed facilities in South County.  The Property Appraiser and the Tax Collector shared a building at the South County Administrative Complex on Congress Ave.  The proposal involved relocating the Property Appraiser’s staff to the old County Library on Atlantic Ave.  This off-site location would be temporary until the South County Complex Redevelop-ment Project is completed.  The County would then renovate the space vacated by the Property Appraiser for use by the Tax Collector.  The plan needed the approval of Oriole Village Center, Inc. because of a deed restriction that limited the use of the property on Atlantic Ave.  I contacted President Neal Judas and the Board of Governors.  They responded within a day approving and welcoming the relocation of the Property Appraiser.  I appreciate their swift and positive action.  The County Commission supported the entire plan at its’ April 6th meeting.  Work began immediately to implement the changes. 

The Tax Collector’s South County Service Center will be operational on September 13th.  It will be a full service driver’s license center as well as having the traditional services that have always been offered.  If you need information on the Tax Collector’s services, you can call the office at 561-355-2264 or visit the website:  pbcgov.com/tax.           

Residents sometimes feel that government moves slowly.  However in this case, and with the assistance of the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector and the City of Delray Beach, the County was able to discuss the problem, plan the solution and complete the necessary renovations in five months.  I was pleased to be able to assist in having all three agencies work together so that the residents in South County can have their services near their homes just like the residents in the rest of the County.