Candidate: Michael E McElroy

My name is Michael McElroy and I am seeking re-election as your Gilchrist County Tax Collector.  In July of 2019 I was appointed by the Honorable Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida to fill this vacated position.  Before my appointment I worked in the private sector-financial services industry as a local banker for 35 years.  This experience prepared me well to represent the residents of Gilchrist County and lead the office of Tax Collector.  An effective leader must be a good communicator, trustworthy, think critically and be resilient, especially in a rural community where budgets can be challenging.  Change is the only constant and I am positioned to navigate the challenges and develop solutions to benefit the citizens of Gilchrist County.

In an effort to serve the citizens of Gilchrist County the following initiatives, under my direction, have either been completed or in process: 1) Dial #TAX from your mobile phone to be connected to our office (this was at no cost to the tax payers) 2)  State and local approval for a branch office to be located in the Bell Town Depot-office scheduled to open in March of 2020 3) Cost analysis in process to move the Tax Collector’s office out of the courthouse into an adjacent building, providing much needed additional space 4) Driver’s License and Concealed Weapon services to be added in the spring of 2020 (staff will be in training January & February of 2020).

Community service has always been my passion.  Serving in various capacities for the Gilchrist County Republican Executive Committee, Gilchrist County Rotary, Gilchrist County Education Foundation, Gilchrist County Character Council, Gilchrist County SHIP, and the Gilchrist County Chamber of Commerce.  In 2016 I was presented with the Gilchrist County Citizen of the Year Award and in 2019 the J. Min Ayers Lifetime Achievement Award, both by the Gilchrist County Chamber of Commerce. 

I earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and have been married to Christie since 1989.  We are blessed to have two children, Brandon & Alyssa which both are married and live in Indianapolis and Virginia, respectively.   

The citizens of Gilchrist County deserve a Tax Collector that’s knowledgeable, accountable, accessible, community centric and innovative.  My experience has groomed me to be frugal, stretching budgetary dollars and the ability to think independently.  A passion for public service and a love for this community is the catalyst that drives me to seek ways to improve processes and delivery.  I look forward to serving the citizens of Gilchrist County for many years to come.