Tax Offices Swamped in Deadline Rush

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Tax collector offices across the city were swamped as taxpayers got in line to beat the deadline that has driver's license and vehicle registration fees going up.

A new driver's license, for example, will increase from $27 to $48. Registration fees for some cars and trucks will go up by 125%.

Waits of between two and three hours were not uncommon in Jacksonville.

Tax Collector Mike Hogan tells First Coast News that people who are in line and have a number before 7:30 tonight will get a voucher allowing them to come back before Sept. 10 to take care of their tax business at the old rate.

Cheryl Miliukas was still waiting for her name to be called after two hours at the Kernan office.

When asked about the time she spent waiting, she said, "Not saving anything. It is making me very angry."

Linda Pippin waited nearly three hours to get her business done, and the wait did not bother her.

"I was trying to save $75 compared to what, pay 15 today and 25 cents. So that was a blessing," she said.

Hogan spent Monday jumping from office to office checking on the lines.

"Absolutely amazing," is how Hogan described the patience displayed by people facing long waits.

Computer problems at the state level did not help matters. Locally, the system used to page people in line malfunctioned at some offices because it was being pushed beyond its limits.

Tax collector offices in Jacksonville will remain open until 7:30 p.m. to handle the demand. Those same offices opened their doors this morning to more than 900 people who wanted to be first in line and beat the rush.

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