HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — New technology in Hillsborough County could cut down your time at the tax collectors office – or make is so that you don’t even need to go, at all!
A new kiosk system, installed in a handful of Publix stores, has made it so drivers don’t even need to step foot in at a county office or tag agency.
“We’re always looking for ways to do things better, faster, cheaper," said Doug Belden the Hillsborough County Tax Collector.
They recently rolled out new kiosks from Intellectual Technology, Inc. that makes it so you can renew your vehicle on the go.
There are three Publix locations with kiosks – the first in the state of Florida. Just click the links for directions.
Four tax collector offices are also offering kiosk service:
Of course, you don’t have to renew your vehicle this way. You can also renew online, but then you have to wait for your receipt and stickers in the mail or pick them up from an office.
You can always go the traditional route and go straight to the tax collector's office. When 10News stopped by the office at Drew Park, the wait to have your vehicle renewed was 40 minutes.
A 40-minute wait compared to an approximately two-minute process. That's a 95-percent shorter wait time.
So, why Publix?
But, why chose Publix as the private sector partner for this new initiative?
It’s not just because the grocery store chain is loved by many.
“They are in Colorado, they’re in California, they’re in New York, and they seem to have targeted grocery stores, with very good outcomes," explained Belden.
For now, these are the only locations. But, the tax collectors office hopes to add more in the future.
Manatee County has kiosks at its tax collector locations at DeSoto Office in Bradenton and its Lakewood Ranch Office in Lakewood.
Polk County also has these kiosks at a couple of its tax collector offices.
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