Okaloosa tax collector receives state award for excellence

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County tax collector Ben Anderson has earned the Legacy Award for excellence in the field of financial operations.

A judging panel performed a detailed review of Anderson's financial records, practices and use of technology in considering him for the honor.

“The Legacy Award is one of the highest achievements the Florida Tax Collectors Association can award a local tax collector,” said Florida Tax Collectors, Inc. Past-President Lisa Cullen, of Brevard County.

Last year, Anderson earned the Excellence in Financial Operations Award after demonstrating proficiency in four areas of expertise: Innovation & Automation; a Perfect Annual Audit Report; Customer Focus; and Budgeting.

For the 2015 Legacy Award, Anderson demonstrated that the office had further enhanced its financial operations.

A five-person judging panel made up of government financial executives from throughout Florida reviewed the tax collector’s processes as related to the four areas of competency.

Tax collectors carry out State of Florida work at the local level on behalf of Florida’s citizens. This work includes property tax collections and enforcement; driver licenses and motor vehicle services; hunting and fishing licenses; birth certificates.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa tax collector receives state award for excellence