MEET YOUR TAX COLLECTOR
Bruce Vickers, CFC, CFBTO, ELC.
“TO SERVE OUR CITIZENS WITH KNOWLEDGE, DIGNITY AND RESPECT”
Bruce Vickers was elected Osceola County Tax Collector in August of 2016. Prior to his election, Bruce was a 15-year veteran of the Osceola County Tax Collector’s office.
His years of experience before being elected provided him with a solid foundation in office operations, staff management, and customer service. He has an extensive background in administration, having served as Incentive Merchandising Coordinator for Tupperware Headquarters, Supervisor of the Criminal Court Clerk Division at the Osceola County Clerk of Courts, and Administrative Office Manager for Good Samaritan Retirement Village before joining the Tax Collectors Office in 2001.
Bruce is a graduate of Osceola High School and attended Florida Baptist Schools & Seminary, currently known as Emmaus Baptist College. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Florida Department of Revenue Tax Collector training and has received his Certified Florida Collector designation. Bruce earned an Executive Leadership Certification from the State of Florida Tax Collector Association in connection with Valencia College, and is a graduate of the 2012 Osceola Leadership program sponsored by Community Vision.
As Tax Collector, Bruce was the recipient of the 2019 Good Government Award from the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, the office has been awarded the Excellence in Financial Operations each year since 2019 from the Florida Tax Collector Association. Also, since 2020 and each year after, the office has been awarded the Legacy Award for Financial Operations from the Florida Tax Collector Association. This award was given to only two out of sixty-seven counties in 2020.
Bruce is passionate about giving back to the community and encourages his staff to get involved in worthwhile causes. As a group, they participated in the Council on Aging’s March for Meals to end Senior hunger, donated to replenish the Meals on Wheels year-round pantry, and donated to the Senior Santa program to provide Christmas cheer to Seniors who are without families. They gave donations of basic household necessities to families with critical needs who were selected as recipients of new homes through grants here in Osceola County. Each year, they donate to the Osceola Education Foundation’s Gift for Teaching to help better equip students and teachers with supplies needed for success. They also participate in The American Heart Association’s Walk, as well as the Pink on Parade breast cancer walk.
Bruce is married to his wife, Bobbie and they have an 19 year old son, Seth. They are active members of their church and Bruce has served in many capacities, including director of Vacation Bible School, Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, and Music Director. Currently, he is participating in the church choir. Bruce also serves on the Board of Directors of the Osceola County Council on Aging and the Osceola Education Foundation.
Bruce’s ongoing priority as your Tax Collector is to identify additional services that offer greater convenience for Osceola citizens. During his first term in office, Bruce added Concealed Weapon Permitting, CFX Toll Violation Clearances, and issuance of Florida Birth Certificates. Many services are now offered by appointment, resulting in streamlined services and time savings for our citizens. Regular reviews of best practices, organizational performance, and customer service will continue to form the cornerstone for future growth. Furthermore, his focus will always be on serving our citizens with integrity, knowledge, respect, and pride.
TAX COLLECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The Office of the Tax Collector is authorized by Florida’s Constitution as a separate entity from other County Departments or Agencies. The Tax Collector is elected, by the Citizens of Osceola County, and is privileged to serve four-year terms.
The Tax Collector is an agent for various state and local government agencies for the collection of revenue and public funding. It is the responsibility of the Tax Collector to invest these revenues and funds pending their timely distribution to various state, local agencies, and taxing authorities.
A wide range of services are provided by the Tax Collector to the citizens of Osceola County. These include collection of ad valorem and non-ad valorem taxes, motor vehicle and vessel registrations, title applications, collection of sales tax, issuance of business tax receipts, issuance of hunting and fishing licenses, issuance of concealed weapon permits, driver license and ID cards, issuance of Florida Birth Certificates, and collection and auditing of Tourist Development Taxes.
The Tax Collector operates as a “fee office”, which means a fee or commission is earned for the services rendered. These fees and commissions are outlined in the Florida Statutes and established by the Florida Legislature. The annual budget must be approved by the Florida Department of Revenue and includes any amendments made during each fiscal year. Excess fees are remitted to each government agency in the same proportion as they were paid at the end of each fiscal year.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
OF THE OSCEOLA COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
1. AD VALOREM AND NON-AD VALOREM TAXES
The Tax Collector is responsible for collecting and distributing taxes, from information provided on the annual tax roll, which is provided by the Property Appraiser’s Office. The tax roll consists of real estate taxes, tangible taxes, and non-ad Valorem taxes. (Non-Ad Valorem assessments are primarily assessments for fire services, solid waste, and trash collection). The collection of taxes, as well as the assessment, is in accordance with the rules and regulations of The Florida Department of Revenue, and Florida Statutes. These taxes are collected, beginning November 1st each year, and become delinquent April 1st. Discounts are given for early payment.
Each year on or before June 1, the Tax Collector holds a tax certificate sale on properties with unpaid real estate taxes. The purpose of the sale is to collect unpaid taxes levied by the various taxing authorities. A tax certificate represents a lien on the property. When a tax certificate is redeemed, the Tax Collector is responsible for remitting the funds to the certificate holder. Funds for a County held certificate are distributed to the different taxing authorities.
2. TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES
This is a tax levied against equipment, furniture, and supplies of a business, or attachments to a mobile home located in a mobile home park. The assessed value is determined by the Property Appraiser, and the tangible roll is then certified to The Tax Collector for collection. The statements are mailed at the same time as real estate bills and receive the same discounts.
Note: Real Estate Taxes and Tangible Personal Property Taxes may be paid in installments. You may download the application,or stop by the Main Office to obtain a printed copy. For more information, please call 407-742-4000 or e-mail webinfo@osceola.org.
3. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX
The Florida Legislature amended the “Local Option Tourist Development Act”, to allow for collection and administration of tourist tax at the local level. The Osceola County Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance which provides for the collection, and administration of the tourist tax, and charged the Tax Collector with the duty of collection, auditing, and distribution.
4. LOCAL BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT
A Local Business Tax Receipt is a miscellaneous tax imposed by local government in accordance with county ordinance, which also charges the Tax Collector with the responsibility of collection and disbursement of fees. The Local Business Tax Receipt grants the privilege of engaging in or managing a business. The fee for these licenses is $30.00 per year. The Local Business Tax Receipts expire September 30th each year, and are renewable each year between July 1st and September 30th.
5. HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE
The Tax Collector serves as an agent for The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. In this capacity, the Tax Collector is responsible for the sale of a variety of hunting and fishing permits. It is the Tax Collector’s duty to collect all monies from these sales and maintain the records associated with these transactions. Also, as an agent for The Department of Natural Resources, the Tax Collector handles the sale of saltwater fishing permits.
6. DRIVER LICENSE
As an agent for The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Tax Collector is responsible for issuance of Driver Licenses and Identification Cards. While all four Osceola County Tax Collector locations offer issuance of DL and ID Cards, the written exam and driving skills road tests are only offered at the Main Office location at 2501 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34744 or the Campbell City location at 4730 South Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee, FL 34746. The Tax Collector fee of $6.25 is charged for all driver license transactions. Please be aware that appointments are required for the road tests.
7. TAG/LICENSE PLATES
As an agent for The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles , the Tax Collector is responsible for issuance of automobile license plates/decals, mobile home decals, disabled person parking permits, vessel decals, and title applications where applicable. The Tax Collector is responsible for maintenance of records, reporting sales, accounting for inventory, and dispersing monies collected in a timely manner to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
The issuance of registrations and title applications is done in accordance with, rules and regulations of the Department of Highway Safety Division of Motor Vehicles, and Florida Statutes.
8. SALES TAX
Sales tax is required, by Florida Statute at 6% of the purchase price, less trade-in value, on vehicle purchases. As an agent for the Florida Department of Revenue, the Tax Collector is responsible for the collection and disbursement of this tax, along with a 1.5% surtax imposed on Osceola County residents. the surtax is 1.5% on the first $5,000 of the vehicle purchase price.
You may also, call our office at (407) 742-4000 or you may e-mail us at webinfo@osceola.org.