FORT WALTON BEACH — The Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office saved county motorists over $258,000 when they removed the motor vehicle registration’s two-year renewal option earlier this year.
On April 4, 2014, Governor Rick Scott signed a bill that would lower the cost of most vehicle registrations by up to $25 per year. While this was great news, it would not go into effect until Sept. 1.
This prompted Okaloosa County Tax Collector Ben Anderson to be the first Tax Collector to remove the biennial option from vehicle renewals through August in an effort to prevent motorists from electing the 2nd year option at the higher rate. During those months, over 11,500 registrations were saved the extra expense for the second year registration.
Anderson says, “In Okaloosa County last year, 23,400 vehicles had biennial registrations. With the new, lower rate, there is a tangible savings, so we have reinstated the two-year renewal option. Now I am encouraging all motorists to take advantage of the biennial option. If owners choose to register their vehicle(s) for two years they will certainly save time and money.”
Anderson says, “It is our responsibility to be good stewards with resources and information. This is just another example of your Tax Collector’s Office working hard to save you money.”
Vehicle registrations can be processed online at www.OkaloosaTax.com or at any Okaloosa Tax Collector's Office branch.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Car registration renewal option saves Okaloosa drivers more than $258,000