VERO BEACH — Beachside residents no longer will have to travel across the bridge to visit the Tax Collector, Property Appraiser or County Clerk of Court offices.
A new combined office for the three departments is to open Monday at 3003 Cardinal Drive. The offices are giving public tours at 10 a.m. Friday.
Together, rent for the 1,200-square-foot Oceanside County Center office condominium is $4,000 a month. The Tax Collector’s Office will pay $2,000 per month, while the Property Appraiser and Clerk of the Court each are paying $1,000.
“It’s a small place but it’s convenient for our customers because it has available parking,” said Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan. “In our office, you’ll be able to do everything you can do at our main office except for obtaining a driver’s license.”
Since more than 14,000 people call the 32963 Zip code home, Jordan expects the satellite office to be busy. Combined, it cost the three departments about $20,000 to renovate and equip the new space with furniture, computers and copiers.
“It’s all about location,” said Jordan. “People who live in our beachside communities will save time and avoid an unnecessary commute to the main office. This, in turn, takes a few cars off the road and shortens lines for our mainland Vero Beach customers using the main office."
Clerk of Court Jeff Smith said his department will utilize about 25 percent of the space and offer a variety of services including passport applications.
“Sharing office space is the most cost-efficient way to handle the additional need for service,” said Smith. “So often, people need information and to file paperwork at the Tax Collector’s Office, access county documents and consult with the Property Appraiser at the same time.”
Property Appraiser Wesley Davis said his department already shares space in Sebastian with the Clerk and Tax Collector, and all three have offices at the County Administration Building in Vero Beach.
“We have found it helpful and convenient for citizens to get everything they need at one time in one place,” said Davis. “Nobody likes having to go to multiple locations to get things done. We offer one-stop shopping.”
The Oceanside County Center will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays beginning Monday. Three clerks from the Tax Collector, two from the Property Appraiser and one from Clerk of Court will be available during those hours.
For information about the Tax Collector, call 772-226-1338; for the Property Appraiser, 772-494-7644; and Clerk of Court, 772-770-5185.