Miami-Dade tax collector town halls reflect a shift in thinking: We will come to you | Opinion

For far too long, many residents of Miami-Dade have had to take a day off work from work, stand in long lines or travel across the county simply to ask a question, make a payment or find out what services are available from the Tax Collector’s Office.

That all changed with our team. Our office exists to serve the people, and this fall we are going directly to the people.

Beginning Nov. 3 and continuing at nine locations across the county, I will host a series of Town Hall meetings designed to bring government services into your neighborhood.

Whether you have a question about your property tax bill, want to renew a driver license, explore business tax options or learn more about handicap parking permits, our goal is to walk you through it face-to-face.

These town halls are more than just gatherings — they reflect a shift in how we think about service.

It’s not about waiting for residents to come to us; it’s about us going to you. It’s about shining a light on what our office does, breaking down barriers of time, distance and convenience and ensuring every resident can access help close to home.

The role of tax collector, along with those of sheriff, supervisor of elections, property appraiser and clerk of the court, was established through Constitutional Amendment 10, approved by voters in 2018.

This amendment required every county, including Miami-Dade — which had previously operated under a home rule charter — to have independently elected constitutional officers beginning in 2025. I was elected to the office in November 2024.

The goal was to increase accountability, transparency and uniformity across all Florida counties.

As part of this transition, the Tax Collector’s Office now oversees local driver license centers and operates with its own independent budget, separate from the county’s general fund. This ensures both financial independence and greater efficiency in serving residents.

We currently operate 10 full-service centers around Miami-Dade County, with more on the way, and we have expanded our in-person offerings to include driver license issuance and other critical services.

The upcoming town halls complement this infrastructure, bringing the same access to the communities we serve.

I encourage everyone who has questions, wants clarification or simply wants to learn more about your Tax Collector’s Office to join us.

The meetings will be held 6-7 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

Monday, Nov. 3 — Arcola Lakes Senior Center, 8401 NW 14th Ave., Miami

Thursday, Nov. 6 — Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach

Monday, Nov. 10 — Oak Grove Park, 690 NE 159th St., Miami

Wednesday, Nov. 12 — Doral Central Park, 3005 NW 92nd Ave., Doral

Thursday, November 13 — South Miami City Hall, 6130 Sunset Dr., South Miami

Tuesday, Nov. 18 — William F. Dickinson Center, 1601 N. Krome Ave., Homestead

Wednesday, Nov. 19 — Kendale Lakes Branch Library, 15205 SW 88th St., Miami

Thursday, Nov. 20 — Cutler Bay Council Chamber, 10720 Caribbean Blvd., Cutler Bay

Monday, Nov. 24 — Westchester Regional Library, 9445 Coral Way, Miami

By bringing these meetings into neighborhoods across Miami-Dade, we make it easier for you to engage with your Tax Collector’s Office, and we reaffirm our commitment to accessibility, transparency and service.

I look forward to meeting you in person, hearing your questions and working together to keep our county moving forward.

Dariel Fernandez is Miami-Dade County’s tax collector.