With no funding from the County, the office is expanding services, returning millions, and setting a new standard for transparency and efficiency in public service
Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez has outlined a bold vision for local government that is independent, efficient, and entirely self-sustaining. In a recent statement, Fernandez emphasized the constitutional independence of his office, clarified its funding model, and highlighted how his team is expanding services while returning billions to local governments—all without drawing a single dollar from the County’s general fund.
“Our independence ensures we focus on what matters—delivering results for the public, not navigating politics,” Fernandez stated. “Every decision we make is rooted in accountability and public trust.”
Not funded by the County — and proud of it
Fernandez made it clear that the Tax Collector’s Office is not a department of the County. Rather, it operates under Florida’s Constitution and laws, relying on statutory service fees and a 2 percent commission authorized by state statute—completely bypassing County budget allocations. Budgets are reviewed directly by the Florida Department of Revenue’s Property Tax Oversight Program, eliminating potential conflicts of interest from local taxing authorities.
This funding model enables the office to remain fiscally neutral, starting each fiscal year at zero and using only what it collects through services like vehicle registrations and license renewals. Despite legal authority to retain 100% of commissions, Fernandez’s office returns more than 61% of that money to the County and other local governments.
In just the first 200 days of the current fiscal year, the Tax Collector office has distributed more than $9.6 billion to public entities such as the Miami-Dade County government, the School Board, and over 30 other taxing authorities. These funds help maintain critical services like law enforcement, sanitation, and public parks.
Tax Collector Fernandez also waived commission fees for municipalities and UMSA, redirecting $40 million back to local communities, and returned an additional $15 million in interest earnings through smart investments.
Expansion, accessibility, and modernization
In addition to efficient financial management, the Tax Collector’s Office is undergoing a major service expansion. It has grown from 200 to more than 700 employees as it assumes operations from state-run DMV offices. The result: dramatically increased service capacity.
New full-service locations have launched across the county, including in Downtown Miami, Midway Crossings, North Dade Justice Center, and Kendall, with upcoming openings in Coral Gables and Miami Beach. Additional sites in Hialeah Gardens, Northside, and Miami Gardens are also in development.
The Tax Collector office has embraced technology with the rollout of self-service kiosks in Publix stores, a virtual walk-in system, and even Saturday hours, including monthly sessions tailored to the neurodivergent community.
Looking ahead to Fiscal Year 2025–2026, Fernandez projects over $10 billion in public funds will be distributed through collections, earnings, and reinvestments.
“We’re proving that local government can be modern, inclusive, and effective,” said Fernandez. “We’re not just collecting revenue—we’re delivering value to every resident in Miami-Dade County.”
Want more stories about transformative leadership in local government? Subscribe to the Calle Ocho News newsletter and stay informed on Miami-Dade’s most impactful public service updates.
Ready to amplify your message across South Florida? Partner with Pressnet Corp. for premium advertising placements on Calle Ocho News, reaching thousands of engaged, informed readers.
Visit mdctaxcollector.gov for more information about office services, locations, and updates.
Add Comment