| Contact: |
Anne Gannon,
Constitutional
Tax Collector |
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Jennifer Mahoney, Strategic Communication Enthusiast |
December 14, 2010
Belle Glade, FL - Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector, announced the addition of road tests and non-citizen services to the western communities and a multicultural “toolkit” for use county-wide. The Belle Glade Service Center is now a one-stop shop for all tax and driver license transactions for residents in the Tri-Cities area.
The “License to Drive” county-wide education program is designed to assist residents understand the changes in both state and federal laws that impact driver licenses and identification cards. The new multicultural “License to Drive” Toolkit includes a document organizer which is multi-functional. The document organizer lists the required documents as well as where to get them if you can’t locate them. It also doubles as storage place where you can keep the documents as you gather them. Finally, the new toolkit includes improved checklists in English, Spanish and Creole. All of these documents are also available on Gannon’s website at www.taxcollectorpbc.com.
In 2010 the Florida Legislature transferred the issuance of driver licenses to all Constitutional tax collectors. In 2005 the United Stated Congress passed the Real ID Act in an effort to prevent terrorism. The Real ID Act requires individuals to bring original certified documentation proving birth, social security number and residence prior to being issued a driver’s license or identification card. People under the age of 50 have until December 2014 and people over the age of 50 have until December 2017 to become Real ID compliant. Anyone who is not Real ID compliant by these dates will not be permitted to board a commercial flight or enter a federal building.
Gannon created the “License to Drive” public education program to help citizens better prepare for what she characterizes as a time consuming and often complicated process. The toolkit was developed with input from Palm Beach County community leaders and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Today, Gannon was joined by other elected officials including Rep. Mack Bernard, Commissioner Shelley Vana, Vice-Chair, Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners; and Steve Wilson, Mayor Belle Glade for this official launch of new driver license services in the western communities. The availability of the multicultural “License to Drive” Community Toolkits expands her efforts to reach more communities. “I am thankful for the spirit of cooperation that exists here in the Tri-Cities, I wish other communities would model it” says Gannon. She also reported that over 300 “License To Drive Toolkits” were distributed.
Gannon is particularly pleased to announce her Agency’s partnership with the Florida Highway Patrol. We are able to provide approximately 40 needy families with free infant and toddler booster seats today. This is made possible by the $2 Difference Child Seat Program. “Child safety is paramount. We are especially pleased to be able to do this during these tough economic times,” says Gannon. “I want to thank the Highway Patrol for making this possible.”
Gannon launched the first Full Service Center in Delray at 501 South Congress on September 13. Target dates to expand driver license services throughout the rest of the county are:
- Palm Beach Gardens on January 24, 2011
- Lantana on February 22, 2011
- Royal Palm Beach on April 4, 2011
About the Palm Beach County Tax Collector:
The Palm Beach County Tax Collector is a constitutional office that collects and distributes over $3 billion annually in taxes and fees. The Tax Collector's Office:
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