Manatee Tax Collector plans to reopen Monday with COVID-19 safety measures in place
The Tax Collector’s Office in Manatee County plans to reopen starting Monday, May 4.
Starting with the DeSoto Office and the Driver License Office, residents will be able to receive in-person services by appointment only, Tax Collector Ken Burton, Jr. announced Wednesday morning.
“Following CDC guidelines to mitigate COVID-19, our staff has been working internally, processing mail and online payments, title-work, registration renewals and providing information over the phone for the past month,” Burton said in a press release.
“Taking our direction from the president and the governor, we are opening to the public in a roll-out fashion; first by opening our largest offices, DeSoto and DLO, to handle more customers using social distancing, and eventually restoring service to the other branches,” he added.
Visitors can schedule appointments at the DeSoto Office, 819 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton or the Drivers License Office, 904 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton online at TaxCollector.com.
The decision follows Manatee County government’s phased plan to begin reopening county facilities. The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday afternoon to reopen public beaches, with social distancing rules in place, starting Monday, as well.
Burton says there will also be new safety procedures in place at his offices. Customers will be required to wait in their vehicles until their scheduled appointment time, and only Manatee customers with appointments will be helped.
Customers must wear a mask or face covering to enter the building. Visitors will not be allowed inside if they have symptoms of illness. Only customers required to complete transactions will be allowed inside, according to a release.
New Plexiglas shields have also been installed at each work station and the reception desk, Burton said.
“I want to thank Manatee County residents for doing business with us on taxcollector.com while we’ve been unable to open the offices,” said Burton. “Our payment processing team has had record days during this time, met their turn-around times every day, and our contact center has responded to thousands of calls and emails. We hope our customers appreciate how safe, convenient and efficient online transactions are and will continue to use our website.”
For more information, visit TaxCollector.com.
