Administration

Do you have a question? To contact us by telephone: Dial 863-534-4700; For all general contact methods, click here!

Tax Collector

Joe G. Tedder
Tax Collector

Joe G. Tedder was first elected to the position of Tax Collector in 1996 and was subsequently re-elected  in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024. Joe’s past public service includes serving as a Member in the Florida House of Representatives from 1992 through 1996. He is the past President of the Florida Tax Collectors Association and past Chair of the United Way of Central Florida Board of Directors. He is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class XIII and Leadership Polk Class I. For more about Joe, click here. For information on how to contact Joe directly, click here

Executive Leaders

 

Christopher C. Rudolph, Jr.
Chief Deputy Tax Collector/Chief Administrative Officer

Christopher joined the Tax Collector’s Office in December 1996. Christopher currently directs leadership in the areas of Administration, Business Process Analysis, Safety & Security, and Public Communications. Before joining the Tax Collector’s Office, Christopher served as Senior Legislative Assistant in the State Representative Office of Joe G. Tedder. Previously, he served as Licensing Administrator to the Board for Contractors at the Virginia Department of Commerce and prior to that was employed in the defense industry. Christopher has earned a Doctorate in Education from Florida Southern College. Moreover, he holds Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science from the University of West Florida. Christopher is a Certified Florida Collector Assistant (CFCA), a Certified Business Tax Official (CBTO), and a Certified Public Manager (CPM). For telephone directory information, click here

 

Tim Murphy
Chief Information Officer
Tim joined the Tax Collector’s Office in May 2005. Tim provides leadership in the Information Technologies Application Development Department. Tim directs leadership in the areas of Information Technologies Support Services, Application Development and Project Management. Before joining the Tax Collector’s Office, Tim was a programmer for Florida Distillers, and before that, Tim honorably served in the United States Marine Corps. Tim has a Bachelor’s of Science from Everest University. Tim is also a Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) and a Certified Public Manager (CPM). For telephone directory information, click here

 

Chris Jaramillo
Chief Operations Officer

Chris joined the Tax Collector’s Office in December 2010. Chris provides leadership in the Service Center Operations. Previously, Chris held the position of Director and Manager in the Tax Collector’s Office. Before joining the Tax Collector’s Office, Chris was Revenue Verification Manager for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Chris has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management from the University of Texas. Chris is also a Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Business Tax Official (CBTO), a Certified Florida Collector Assistant (CFCA), and a Certified Public Manager (CPM). For telephone directory information, click here

 

Lisa Harder
Chief Human Resource Officer
Lisa joined the Tax Collector’s Office in August 2011. Lisa provides leadership in the Human Resource and Training Departments. Lisa is responsible for developing policy and directing and coordinating human resource activities such as employment, compensation, labor relations, benefits and employee services. Lisa also oversees the administration and development of office knowledge, including the instruction of educational and training programs for staff. Before joining the Tax Collector’s Office, Lisa was a Teacher with Polk County Schools. Lisa has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education, and a Master’s degree in Reading Education, both from the University of South Florida. Lisa is also a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), Certified Public Manager (CPM) and a Certified Florida Collector Assistant (CFCA). For telephone directory information, click here

 

Tineshia Morris
Chief Tax Officer/General Counsel
Tineshia joined the Tax Collector’s Office in October 2016. Tineshia directs leadership in Legal Affairs, Tax Programs and Technical Processing. Tineshia handles all legal and litigation matters including public records requests, contracts, general civil cases, eminent domain, and foreclosure. Before joining the Tax Collector’s Office, Tineshia was an Assistant Attorney General handling death penalty appeals litigation at the Attorney General’s office in Tallahassee, Florida, and prior to that Tineshia was a prosecutor in Orlando, Florida, with a focus on prosecuting White Collar Crime. Tineshia received her Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University, her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida, and her Bachelor and Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Florida. Tineshia is licensed to practice in the State of Florida, the State of New York, and the District of Columbia. For telephone directory information, click here

 

Steve Zarycki
Chief Financial Officer
Steve joined the Tax Collector’s Office in June 2022. Steve directs leadership in the area of Finance & Accounting. Before joining the Tax Collector’s Office, Stephen was the Deputy Director of Finance at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to that Steve served as the Finance Director for the Hillsborough County Tax Collector. Steve has a Bachelor of Science degree and Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Florida and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). For telephone directory information, click here

 

Leaders

Julie Simon
Bartow Service Center / Call Center Manager
Julie joined the Tax Collector’s Office in September of 1997. She currently serves as the Bartow Service Center / Call Center Manager where she ensures the daily operations are run efficiently and adheres to the Mission and Vision of the Tax Collector’s Office. She provides leadership in her role which includes the processing and collection of funds for motor vehicle title and registration transactions, property taxes, county local business taxes, driver licensing, and hunting and fishing licensing. Previously Julie served as the Assistant Manager in the Lakeland Service Center and Manager of the Bartow Service Center. Julie is a Certified Florida Collector Assistant (CFCA) and Certified Public Manager (CPM). For telephone directory information, click here

 

Tracy Davis
Lakeland Service Center Manager

Tracy joined the Tax Collector’s Office in January of 2000. She currently serves as the Lakeland Service Center Manager where she ensures the daily operations are run efficiently and adheres to the Mission and Vision of the Tax Collector’s Office. She provides leadership in her role which includes the processing and collection of funds for motor vehicle title and registration transactions, property taxes, county local business taxes, driver licensing, hunting and fishing licensing, and concealed weapon licensing. Previously, Tracy served as the Manager in the Lake Wales Service Center and Assistant Manager in the Lakeland Service Center. Tracy is a Certified Florida Collector Assistant (CFCA), Certified Public Supervisor (CPS), and Certified Public Manager (CPM). For telephone directory information, click here

Gail Stace
Davenport Service Center Manager

Gail joined the Tax Collector’s Office in August of 1994. She currently serves as the Davenport Service Center Manager where she ensures the daily operations are run efficiently and adheres to the Mission and Vision of the Tax Collector’s Office. She provides leadership in her role which includes the processing and collection of funds for motor vehicle title and registration transactions, property taxes, county local business taxes, driver licensing, and hunting and fishing licensing. Office. Previously, Gail served as the Assistant Manager in the Davenport Service Center. Gail is a Certified Florida Collector Assistant (CFCA) and Certified Public Manager (CPM). For telephone directory information, click here

Tari Shannon
Lake Alfred Service Center Manager

Tari joined the Tax Collector’s Office for Polk County in May of 2006. She currently serves as the Lake Alfred Service Center Manager where she ensures the daily operations are run efficiently and adheres to the Mission and Vision of the Tax Collector’s Office. She provides leadership in her role as manager to the Lake Alfred Service Center which includes the processing and collection of funds for motor vehicle title and registration transactions, property taxes, county local business taxes, driver licensing, and hunting and fishing licensing. Previously, Tari served as Assistant Manager in both the Lakeland Service Center and the Lake Wales Service Center. Tari has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Polk State College and a Master of Science in Management from Warner University. She is also a Certified Florida Collector Assistant (CFCA) and a Certified Public Manager (CPM). For telephone directory information, click here

Elizabeth Santos
Lake Wales Service Center Manager
Elizabeth joined the Tax Collector’s Office in July of 2005. She currently serves as the Lake Wales Service Center Manager where she ensures the daily operations are run efficiently and adheres to the Mission and Vision of the Tax Collector’s Office. She provides leadership in her role which includes the processing and collection of funds for motor vehicle title and registration transactions, property taxes, county local business taxes, driver licensing, hunting and fishing licensing, and concealed weapon licensing. Previously, Elizabeth served as Manager in the Call Center, and Assistant Manager in both the Call Center and Davenport Service Center. Elizabeth is a Certified Public Manager (CPM). For telephone directory information, click here

 

Hilary Stubock
Tax Manager

Hilary joined the Tax Collector’s Office in August 2019. Hilary assists in providing leadership for the Tax Programs Department which includes the administration and collection of current and delinquent ad valorem real estate property taxes and non-ad valorem assessments, as well as installments, partial payments, deferrals, tax certificates, and tax deed applications. Hilary provides additional oversight in administration and collection of current and delinquent tangible personal property taxes, county local business taxes and tourist development taxes. Prior to her current position as Tax Manager, Hilary served in various roles in our Technical Processing and Tax departments. Before joining the Tax Collector’s Office, Hilary spent 19 years with Publix Super Markets serving as a Customer Service Manager in several of their Miami Division stores before being promoted to their corporate office in Lakeland where she served as a Technical Specialist in the Customer Service Retail Business Unit. Hilary holds an Associates in Arts degree from Polk State College and is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Public Administration Honors program. For telephone directory information, click here

Clifton J. Garcia
HR/Employee Relations Manager

Clifton joined the Tax Collector’s Office in October 2021 and assists in providing leadership in the Human Resource Department. Clifton is responsible for developing and executing human resource strategies in support of the overall business plan, specifically in the area of employee relations which includes progressive discipline, coaching/counseling, conflict resolution, and policy administration. Prior to joining the Tax Collector’s Office, Clifton worked for Polk County Public Schools in their Employee Relations Department within the Human Resource Services Division. Clifton holds an Associates of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Public Administration, both earned at Polk State College. Clifton is also a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) as designated from the Society for Human Resource Management. For telephone directory information, click here

Chris Rose
Information Technologies Support Services Manager

Chris joined the Tax Collector’s Office in November 1999. Chris provides leadership in the Information Technologies Support Services Department for local and wide-area networks, communication systems, system security, and disaster recovery. Chris also oversees network administration and desktop support staff, as well as all networking and hardware projects, and is involved in the development of Department budgeting. Chris has a Comp TIA A+ Certification, Lefthand San Certification, and is a Certified Public Manager (CPM). For telephone directory information, click here

Sean Krause
IT Application Development Manager

Sean joined the Tax Collector’s Office in August 2018. Sean provides leadership in the Information Technologies Application Development Department. Sean oversees the application development, and support staff responsible for analysis, design, development, and database administration. Sean also leads testing and implementation of business applications software, both in-house developed and vendor supported. A US Navy veteran, Sean managed the IT department for Florida Distillers prior to joining the Tax Collector’s Office. Sean has a Bachelor of Science from Florida Metropolitan University. For telephone directory information, click here

Brandi Haney
Project Manager

Brandi joined the Tax Collector’s Office in August 2015. Brandi provides leadership in Project Management which includes portfolio management, budget management, resource management and coordination, vendor management, and process improvement for the organization’s IT, operational and strategic projects. Before joining the Tax Collector’s Office, Brandi was a Project Manager for Unify Inc. in their Operations and Managed Services Divisions. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Central Florida, is a Project Management Institute certified Project Management Professional (PMI-PMP), and holds an Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certification. For telephone directory information, click here

Amber Davis
Service Center Operations Manager

Amber Davis joined the Tax Collector’s office in August 2010. Amber currently serves as the Service Center Operations Manager where she provides leadership in the areas of service center business day to day readiness and change management initiatives (development and implementation). She began her career at the Tax Collector’s office as a Customer Service Specialist. From there, she transitioned into our Knowledge Management Department serving as the trainer for vehicle registration services, as well as, business taxes. In March of 2018, she was promoted to Service Center Operations Specialist. Amber is a Certified Public Manager (CPM) and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science Degree from Polk State College with a concentration in Public Administration. For telephone directory information, click here

Katelyn Zelinko
Accounting Manager – Operations
Katelyn joined the Tax Collector’s Office in November 2011. Katelyn provides leadership in the Finance Department’s Operations Area of Accounting, which processes records and distributes revenue collected on behalf of other entities to appropriate taxing authorities, prepares and files annual financial reports, monitors funds received to ensure that they are collected in accordance with Florida Statutes and applicable state departmental regulations, policies and procedures, as well as county ordinances, and coordinates banking activities, including the electronic transfer of funds and the investment of surplus funds. Prior to early 2019, Katelyn served in various roles in the Finance department, including Senior Accountant and Accountant. Katelyn has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida. Katelyn is also a Certified Public Manager (CPM). For telephone directory information, click here
Chelsea Allen
Technical Processing Manager
Chelsea joined the Tax Collector’s Office in June 2019. Chelsea provides leadership in the Technical Processing Department which includes the processing of customer payments received by the Tax Collector’s Office via mail and online services. Chelsea also oversees customer mail operations, email service operations, utility payments processing, office supply inventories, as well as the transport of items between offices. Previously, Chelsea managed repair operations in the Telecom industry. Chelsea received her Associate degree from Polk State College and her Bachelor degree from Southeastern University. For telephone directory information, click here
Ashleigh Mills
Communications Manager

Ashleigh provides leadership in Public Communications, which includes reaching people the Tax Collector’s Office serves with important information online at www.polktaxes.com, by mail, through social media, and other communication channels. Ashleigh receives and coordinates responses to all media requests. She also heads the Tax Collector’s Kids Tag Art (KTA) program, which inspires fifth grade elementary art students to design specialty tag license plates as a fundraiser for school classroom art programs. For telephone directory information, click here.

Rhett Suarez
Accounting Manager

Rhett joined the Tax Collector’s Office in August of 2023. Rhett provides leadership in the Finance Department, which processes records and distributes revenue collected on behalf of other entities to appropriate taxing authorities, prepares and files annual financial reports, monitors funds received to ensure that they are collected in accordance with Florida Statutes and applicable state departmental regulations, policies and procedures, as well as county ordinances, and coordinates banking activities, including the electronic transfer of funds and the investment of surplus funds.
Prior to joining the Tax Collector’s office, Rhett was an Accountant with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to the Sheriff’s Office, Rhett spent 23 years with Publix Super Markets in their Corporate Office, serving in multiple roles in Accounting, Internal Audit and Facilities Purchasing. Rhett has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Florida Southern College. For telephone directory information, click here