Open Government

From the Tax Collector

Our commitment to you is to provide the highest level of customer service, for the best value, in an open, transparent setting. We know that you have an interest in how your government does business. It is a priority for me to make certain the public is informed about the work we do at the Office of the Tax Collector. This Web page outlines the many ways you can contact us to request public records or to learn more about us as an agency.

We welcome your interest and look forward to serving you,

Ethics Policy 

Operating in an efficient and ethical manner is very important to our staff, click the link above to read the Ethics Policy of the Walton County Tax Collector's Office.

Public Records Request Policies and Procedures

Need to make a public records request? Under the Freedom of Information Act, Florida Statutes 119.01 (1) "It is the policy of this state that all state, county and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any person." If you would like to request a public record, use the following list and keywords to locate the best contact.

Public Records Coordinator

Sylvia Rushing

Director of Operations

(850) 892-8121

russylvia@co.walton.fl.us

WCTC Organization – Want to learn more about how our team is organized? Click here to view our organizational chart (pdf).

Budget – How does WCTC spend taxpayer money? The budget for the current fiscal year July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010 can be viewed here. WCTC Budget.

How the Tax Collector's Office is Funded

The Tax Collector's Office is an independent constitutional office funded by fees and commissions generated from the services provided.  The office receives these commissions at the time the funds are distributed to the taxing authorities which occurs throughout the year.  The fees and commissions collected are established by the Florida Statutes and are as follows:

• Tax Collection Revenues- during the month of November commissions are calculated on ad valorem assessments per Florida Statutes, from December through the remainder of the year the commissions earned equal 2 % of the ad valorem collections and 3 % of  non-ad valorem collections.
• DMV/FWCC Transactions- statutorily authorized per transaction service fee, varying based on the type of transaction performed.

Services provided on behalf of the county:

• Dog On the Beach/Beach Driving Permits-  $5 commission per transaction

At the end of each fiscal year, the Tax Collector is required to return any excess fees over the amount needed to efficiently operate the office, proportionately to the taxing authorities. This results in a zero balance every October 31st. The County is required by F.S. 192.102 to provide an advance equal to 1/12th of the estimated commissions, in order to operate the office without disruption. This advance is returned upon the first two scheduled distributions of tax revenues in November, minus the amount due for tax bill postage.

Contracting

Want to learn more about who we do business with or how much we pay for contracted services?

Below is a listing of our vendors. The vendors who are highlighted are vendors we contract with annually. Should you like to review a vendor contract, please send your request to stakara@co.walton.fl.us. 
 

A1 Mini Storage

Accurint Lexus Nexus- Contract to perform searches for names and addresses  

Ace Consolidated Hardware

ACF Technologies- Repair and maintenance service contract for the Customer Q-Flow System  

ACS- Repair and maintenance service contract for the document imaging process system

Alltel

Apex Business Software- Repair and maintenance service contract for the electronic payroll timesheet processing system

Automated License Solutions- Repair and maintenance service contract for the Florida Wildlife Commission printers

Better Business Bureau

Cass Data- Contract to print and mail renewal notices

Community Coffee

Culligan Water

DeFuniak Herald-Breeze

Dell

Docutek Imaging Solutions- Repair and maintenance service contract for the document imaging process system

FedEx

First Bank Card

First National Insurance Agency

Florida Department of Highway Safety

Florida Department of Revenue

Florida Tax Collectors Association

Florida Department of Financial Services

Florida Department of State

Florida Freedom (Walton Sun)

Florida Mail Press

Florida Records Management Association

FPPS

Gulf Coast Office Products

Gulf Communications

I Fix Computers

Isle of Fantasia

Jetscape

M & M Engraving
Manatron- Tax software vendor

Multi-Graphics

National Automobile Dealers Association (N.A.D.A.)
NCR- Repair and maintenance service contract for the Manatron Tax Processing System
Netvantage (PurePay)-Repair and maintenance service contract for the High Speed Processor

Pitney Bowes- Contract leasing postage machine

Point and Pay-Provides credit and debit card processing services
Postmaster

Pride Enterprises
R. Herman Newton- Contract to perform title searches

R.L. Polk & Co.

Ramey & Bytell

RealAuction- Contract to provide auction sale of County's Tax Certificates

RealAuction- Contract to provide application for tax deeds
Ricoh- Contract leasing office copiers (3)

Sterling Lumber

Triangle Chevrolet- Buick

Troy Fain Insurance

U.S. Business

Waller Business Forms

Walton County BCC

Walton County Chamber of Commerce

Walton County Clerk of Courts

Web Operations

WZEP

Audit Report

Financial accountability is something we take very seriously. Each day we balance our books to ensure every penny collected is accounted for. To ensure accountability and sound financial practices, we are audited annually. The Audit Report link above provides the Management Representation Letter from the auditing firm following our annual audit in 2008.

Additional Information Request Contacts

Media-related
(members of the media who need public records as part of a news story, all topics)
      Kara Stallings

Director of Administration

(850) 892-8121

(850) 978-2615

stakara@co.walton.fl.us

Human Resource Management (HR policies and information)
Debra Wooten, Human Resources Manager

(850) 892-8121
woodebra@co.walton.fl.us