Release Date – Wednesday, June 13, 2018:
BARTOW, Florida The Florida Tax Collectors Association announces that the Kids Tag Art Program, a drawing and fundraising program that originated in Polk County and has spread to over 13 other counties, was recently recognized by the Florida Cabinet and Governor Rick Scott.
A resolution marking the $1,000,000 milestone of dollars raised for classroom arts education was presented on Wednesday, June 13, to the Honorable Joe G. Tedder, Tax Collector for Polk County, along with over 13 other tax collectors who traveled to Tallahassee to receive this award. Earlier this year, the Florida Tax Collectors Kids Tag Art Program was recognized by the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs, receiving the coveted Diversity and Inclusion Award for 2018. This award honors organizations who work to make arts and cultural programming in Florida as diverse and inclusive as possible. The Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs recognizes Florida diversity as one of the key attributes to the state vibrant cultural landscape and through this program aims to support the ongoing dedication of Florida cultural organizations to lead in this area.
Kids Tag Art has been a great success in Polk County for twelve years and several years ago many other tax collectors took up the program to the point where in addition to each individual Tax Collector program, a Florida Tax Collector’s Kids Tag Art Program, hosted by the Florida Tax Collector Association (FTCA) was created. There are now over 13 county tax collectors actively hosting this program across the state.
Southern Homes is proud to partner with Joe Tedder and his team in support of the very successful and award-winning Kids Tag Art program, said Greg Masters, President of Southern Homes. We know that students who participate in the arts are three times more likely to be awarded for school attendance and are more likely to graduate. By investing in this program, we feel that we are investing in the future of Polk County students and, ultimately, the future of our community.
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About the Office of Joe G. Tedder, Tax Collector for Polk County, Florida
Joe G. Tedder is elected by the people of Polk County to serve as their Tax Collector. The Office of Tax Collector is provided in Florida Constitution to serve in the state political subdivisions known as counties. The Tax Collector’s Office for Polk County has service centers in Bartow, Lakeland, Davenport, and Lake Wales. The Tax Collector’s Office serves over 720,000 residents in Polk County, offering services such as: Driver licenses and identification cards; motor vehicle registrations, decals, license plates, titles, and disabled person parking placards; real estate and tangible personal property taxes; county local business taxes; tourist development taxes; concealed weapons license applications and renewals; and other services.