Doug Belden, Who Is He, And Why Did He Get An Award

Hillsborough County Tax Collector Doug Belden last week received an "award of distinction" from his peers at their annual meeting and education forum in Orlando.

"The Madison Langley (Matt) Bell III Award is presented to tax collectors [who] have made a significant and lasting impact on the Florida Tax
Collectors' Association and citizens of Florida," according to a news release announcing the award. "This coveted award was established in honor of the late Matt Bell III, former Escambia County Tax Collector."

According to the report, Belden is only the third Florida tax collector to receive the
award since it was established in 1999. "He was recognized for his innovativeideas, his volunteer spirit, and his dedication to  making government services better in the state of Florida."

Belden said he was "humbled and honored to receive this
prestigious award."  
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About Doug Belden
(From the office's Sept. 4 release)

• He has been active in the Florida Tax Collectors' Association since he took office in 1998, serving as president in 2004-2005 and chair of the legislative committee for several years.

• Most recently, he fought the state's proposal to privatize the distribution of license plates, claiming it would have created a hardship on Florida motor vehicle owners.

• Under Doug Belden, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector's office was recognized as the first agency in Hillsborough County, and the first tax collector in the state to receive the Governor's Sterling award in 2008, followed by Sterling's Sustained Performance Excellence Award in 2011.