Candidate: Teresa Ann Martin

My name is Teresa Martin, a native of Franklin County. I have served in the Franklin County Tax Collector’s Office for 32 years. On February 1, 2024, I announced my candidacy for Franklin County Tax Collector. I am committed to providing reliable tax services to the residents of Franklin County. I am the proud daughter of Betty Stephens-Allen, a retired Records Specialist from Apalachicola and Freddie Jefferson, an Army Veteran from Miami, Florida. I am blessed with three accomplished daughters: Ke’Asha Dorsett, a Florida Realtor; Cheyenne Martin, an Extension Agent at Florida A&M University and Morgan Martin, the Public Information Officer at Franklin County School District. Both Cheyenne and Morgan hold Bachelor of Science degrees from Florida A&M University and are currently pursuing their Master’s Degrees. I am also a proud grandmother to Nyla Dorsett and Asah Dorsett.

For 18 years, I have had the honor of serving the students and families of Franklin County as an elected Franklin County School Board Member (Vice-Chair). This role has allowed me to demonstrate my leadership and dedication to improving education in our community. 
Through collaborative leadership with the Franklin County School Board, I promoted initiatives to expand educational opportunities for students in Franklin County, including approval of a budget for new construction for Franklin County School, a multi-purpose building, reinstated crucial educational programs for learning, expanded dual enrollment with Gulf Coast State College, and implemented personnel training programs. Also during my tenure, the Apalachicola Bay Charter School was adopted and approved. 

In addition to my experience in public service, I have served as a Case Manager for CareerSource Florida. As a case manager, I partnered with businesses and facilitated growth and prosperity for the community. While upholding the highest leadership standards, I inspired over 100 people and helped businesses succeed. I will use my experience serving in the tax collector’s office, on our school board, and in business development to ensure that our tax collector’s office provides residents with state-of-the- art technology and the highest level of customer service. I am customer-focused, with a strong eye for detail, accounting skills, and the ability to analyze complex information. 

During my 32 years of service in our tax collector’s office, I have worked shoulder-to-shoulder with three different tax collectors and office staff, demonstrating leadership, program management, and efficient customer service. I certainly affirm that I work to fulfill the responsibilities of the Tax Collector in accordance to the Florida Administrative Code. I am cross-trained in services provided by our office, including Tags, Titles, Motor Vehicle Registration, Vessel Registration, Ad Volerem Tax,  Driver Licenses, Hunting and Fishing Licenses, a variety of other tax services. I have proven to be a strong leader with a vision and persistence that has provided the citizens of Franklin County with better services in each government role that I have worked in.

I am dedicated to my personal advancement and growth. Currently, I am working towards obtaining the Tax Collector Certified Professional Accreditation. I have successfully finished the Program Certification and Accreditation, Duties and Responsibilities, as well as Management of a Florida Tax Collector Office module.  

My plan includes the following: 

• Enhance Availability of All Existing Services 
• Upgrade Payment Options to include: Tap and Apple Pay. 
• Establish Partnership with the Florida Health Department 
• Continue Tracking New Legislation Impacting our Operations 
• Integrate the Availability to Pay Quarterly Tax Payments Online 
• Offer Written CDL Testing, Fingerprinting and Background Check for the HAZMAT Endorsement  
• Implement Services for Homebound and Disabled Residents 
• Integrate MV-Express Kiosk Tag Renewal 
• Continue and Enhance Kids Tag Art Program 
• Implement Honor Services for Veterans 
• Enhance Employee Training for Staff through DHSMV 
• Maintain Employee Rewards and Recognition 

You get MORE with Martin by having a competent leader who will continue to prepare and encourage the staff to go the extra mile. I believe in prioritizing tasks and effective communication. By electing me, you’re getting more than someone who meets the minimum requirements of the role; you will be getting someone who is comitted to managing and delivering tax services with exceptional customer service with the best qualifications, while contributing positively to the success of the Franklin County Tax Collector's Office. I humbly ask for your vote.

Vote for Teresa Martin for Franklin County Tax Collector on    November 5, 2024.

A NAME WE KNOW. A NAME WE TRUST

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