Tax collectors voice opposition to Florida license plate changes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida has announced a plan to redesign its license plate and change the way it’s distributed, and the idea is already facing stiff opposition from tax collectors around the state.

Wednesday tax collectors offered a show of force against a proposal that would strip them of some responsibility for distributing license plates and transfer it to a private vendor.

Tax collectors would no longer handle online and mail distribution of license plates and registrations. Collectors strongly oppose that idea and want the state to know they want to continue offering that service.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles believes hiring a private company to distribute many of the license plates would eliminate waste in the system and help save money.

But tax collectors believe the new system would cost motorists more money and lower customer service.

“Our concern is with the idea of doing away with a system that currently works, a system that currently works for the people of our communities and our counties and replacing it with a system that would hurt customer service,” said Doris Maloy with the Florida Tax Collectors, Inc.

Florida is considering redesigning its license plate for the first time in more than a decade to make it easier to read.

Under the plan, the state would replace 15 million tags over two years starting in 2014.

Gov. Rick Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet will consider the redesign proposal next week, but they’re postponing a decision on how to distribute the plates.