INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — In an effort to lessen traffic in the county administration building and provide more services to beach side residents, a new complex will soon provide more capacity for three constitutional offices, the tax collector announced Thursday.
The Oceanside County Complex will give extra space for the Indian River County Tax Collector’s Office, Property Appraiser’s Office and County Clerk of Court, said Adria Espich, executive assistant with the tax collector. The center, 3003 Cardinal Drive, will be a combined office suite located on the barrier island aimed toward serving eastern county residents.
“Since Indian River County’s formal organization, our easternmost residents have been forced to drive 12 to 24 miles round trip to engage with county and state level government services, many of which are mandatory,” Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan said in a statement. “As public servants, we are proud to deliver a long needed solution to this time and fuel wasting situation.”
A 10 a.m. news conference and public tour was scheduled for Friday at the complex in suite C. Jordan, Clerk of Court Jeff Smith and Property Appraiser Wesley Davis will be given the keys and do a final walk-through before Monday’s soft opening, officials said.
The small 1,200 square-foot center will accommodate five employees, said Charlie Wilson, director of governmental affairs and communication for the Property Appraiser’s Office. A grand opening will be held sometime in the fall, Espich said.
“Sharing Space is the most cost efficient way to handle the additional need for service” said Smith, who will occupy a quarter of the Oceanside Complex. “So often people need information and to file paperwork at the Tax Collector’s Office, access county documents and consult with the Property Appraiser at the same time.”
Davis described the move as “one-stop shopping” for residents.
“Nobody likes having to go to multiple locations to get things done,” Davis said.
The Property Appraiser’s Office at the ocean side complex will provide full service, Wilson said. Residents will be able to file for homestead exemption, veterans benefits, senior exemptions, access mapping records and more.
The Tax Collector’s Office will provide all normal services, except for issuing drivers licenses, Espich said. Residents will be able to make tax payments, complete vehicle registration and more.
The Clerk of Courts will initially provide services such as marriage licenses and passport applications, Smith said. Smith said the office will eventually provide full service including collecting court fines, traffic ticket payments and more.
The ocean side center will be the fourth location for the tax collector’s office and third for the property appraiser in the county, officials said. The two offices share spaces at a Sebastian location, along with the clerk of court, and at the county administration building.
The Tax Collector’s Office has another space on 82nd Avenue, west of Vero Beach, Espich said. The Clerk of Court Office has their main location at the Indian River County Courthouse.