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Ex-Worker Challenges Belden

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By SHERRI ACKERMAN

sackerman@tampatrib.com

Published: October 19, 2008

Incumbent Doug Belden says he has spent his 10 years as tax collector streamlining the office by purchasing new computers, cross-training employees and cutting unnecessary costs.

In April, his office won the governor's Sterling Award for customer service. The Tampa Republican said his next goal is to lobby the state to increase the county's reimbursement for renewing driver's licenses, which could net Hillsborough County $1 million a year.

Beverly Harris, a nonparty candidate from Wimauma, agrees Belden has improved the office, but the former tax collector employee who quit six years ago wants more done.

Cross-training employees has resulted in none of them being specialized in any service, leaving customers to take additional time off from work to re-file paperwork, she said. She wants to add drive-through windows to branches.

DOUG BELDEN
AGE: 54

EDUCATION: Tampa Catholic High School; bachelor's degree in anthropology, University of South Florida, 1977

FAMILY: Divorced, one son

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Former state attorney's office administrator and Tampa Sports Authority member

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Tax collector since 1998

WEB SITE: www.belden2008 .com

BEVERLY HARRIS
AGE: 50

EDUCATION: East Bay High School graduate

FAMILY: Married, three children and four grandchildren

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Title specialist for local credit union; customer service and management

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

WEB SITE: www.beverlypharris 4ethics.com

Researcher Stephanie Pincus contributed to this report.

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