“THE BOTTOM LINE”
DOUG BELDEN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR By Jim Frankowiak
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lthough he has been Hillsborough County Tax Collector since 1998, you can still sense the enthusiasm and drive Doug Belden has for the position and its varied services to the residents of the county. Perhaps his take on an old saying best captures it: “If it ain’t broke, improve it.” An added cornerstone for Belden are his colleagues in the office, the men and women who provide the services to the residents of the county at one of eight locations plus a satellite facility at the AAA office on Westshore Blvd. in Tampa. Established by the Florida Constitution, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office, like its counterparts throughout the state, is an independent government agency and Belden is a constitutional officer. County tax collectors are elected for a four-year term every Presidential election year. Belden was first elected in 1998, taking the place of Melvin Smith who had retired. The independence of the Tax Collector’s Office is necessary to serve citizens and both local and state agencies as it: • Collects property taxes for every local government agency that levies taxes • Issues Florida Driver Licenses and ID cards, and processes motor vehicle registrations and titles on behalf of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles • Issues hunting and fishing licenses on behalf of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission • Manages local revenue programs, such as issuing business tax licenses and collecting tourist development taxes.
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Belden recently fought a state initiative to privatize the centralized distribution of license plates, a move that would have cost motorists more money while decreasing service. The customers served by the Tax Collector’s Office include residents, business owners, and government agencies such as schools, libraries, and local port and transit authorities. “Consequently, we are a vital link between citizens and the many different programs that affect them,” he said. Annually, Belden’s office collects and distributes more than $1.5 billion and processes over 2.5 million transactions, a significant responsibility requiring multiple offices throughout the county, more than 325 skilled staff members and data systems matched to the scope of its responsibilities. Despite those significant revenues, the Tax Collector’s office is not funded from tax dollars. “We are a fee-forservices office,” said Belden. “The fees and commissions we collect for services provided are used to fund our operating budget, which is approved by the Florida Department of Revenue. I am proud to note that the volume of our work combined with cost-effective operations results in fee revenues well beyond our approved budget. These ‘unused’ fees are returned to local government agencies to fund vital county services. This means “we offer tax collection services at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers,” said Belden. The Tax Collector’s current budget is $25 million. A major portion of taxes collected come from real estate property taxes.
INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2013
“Valuations have been reduced over the last few years as a result of economic conditions and that has been a significant factor in the reduction of fees returned from a high of $22 million to $11 million most recently, but that is still a noteworthy figure,” he said. It’s interesting to note that it was the ups and downs of the real estate market that were a factor in Belden’s decision to seek public office. “I was involved in real estate development in the area with a number of partners, and while we were successful, there were risks,” said Belden. “As a married man with a family, that was a concern. On the other hand, the private sector experience gave me the skills that have helped me make our office even better.” Belden also notes his post is one not associated with controversy, an added attraction for him. Public service was another factor. “I come from a family of over-achievers and people concerned about helping others.” A Tampa native, Belden has three sisters, including Sharon Belden Polo, who was Miss Florida in 1991. While attending University of Florida, Belden’s father, Doug Sr., was a four-sport letterman - the only one noted at that time. In addition, he was elected to Tampa’s City Council at the age of 26. Doug Sr. died at the age of 45 when young Belden was only 17 years old. His mother died when he was 28. “My grandfather, Dr. Edward L. Flynn, was the most influential person in my life.” Dr. Flynn became the first fighter in history to win three championships in one year - the national Golden Gloves, the national Amateur Athletic Union, and the W W W. I N T H E F I E L D M A G A Z I N E . C O M