Coronavirus (COVID-19) Office Updates

Office Update 22:

St. Lucie County Tax Collector Drops Mask Requirement for Customers, Institutes Afternoon Walk-In Hours

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (June 14, 2021) – Beginning Monday, June 28, customers will no longer be required to wear a mask to gain entry into St. Lucie County Tax Collector, Chris Craft’s three offices. Also beginning that day, customers without an appointment will be able to obtain same-day service during designated walk-in hours each weekday from 2:30 p.m. until close.

The mask requirement was instituted last summer at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and has been in place ever since. Although Governor Ron DeSantis suspended all COVID-19 orders issued across the state in May, Craft kept his COVID office protocols as a means of keeping his staff and customers safe. In working with the St. Lucie County Health Department, Craft now feels more confident about not requiring customers to wear masks based on our area’s latest COVID-related facts and figures.

“This decision is based on science and statistics,” Craft said. “While we have endured a lot of pressure to drop our mask requirement, that wasn’t the deciding factor here. I will continue to rely on the expert knowledge of our Health Department as we move forward from this unprecedented global health event.”

Craft’s offices went to appointment-only for service during the pandemic. While appointments are still recommended to avoid longer waits, beginning June 28, there will be designated walk-in times available for customers who need same-day service. Each Monday through Friday from 2:30 p.m. until close, all three office locations (2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce; 1664 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie; 10264 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie) will offer walk-in only service for St. Lucie County residents.

Office Update 21:

SLC Tax Collector to Resume Regular Business Hours, Open Fridays

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Sept. 1, 2020) – Effective Tuesday, September 8, 2020, the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office will resume regular business hours of Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (with all testing ending at 3:30 p.m. and driver license services ending at 4:30 p.m.) Appointments are still required for all in-person services at all three office locations (2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, 1664 SE Walton Road and 10264 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie) and can be made online at https://www.tcslc.com/241/Make-an-Appointment. Appointments are reserved for St. Lucie County residents (those establishing residency in St. Lucie County are considered a resident).

Customers needing to renew their vehicle registration can do so online without an appointment at www.tcslc.com. The yellow replacement sticker can either be mailed to them, or customers can choose the “Express Lane” option to pick up their sticker at one of our offices the same or next business day without an appointment and without waiting in line.

Office hours had changed in recent months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other preventative measures that were put in place remain in effect at all locations. Masks are required for anyone entering a county maintained facility (click here to read the ordinance), plexiglass shields have been installed on counters, social distancing is being enforced at each location and common areas are being disinfected throughout the day.

Office Update 20:

SLC Tax Collector to Begin Serving Customers By Appointment Only

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Jul. 2, 2020) – Effective Wednesday, July 8, 2020, the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office will require appointments for in-person service at all three office locations. Appointments are reserved for St. Lucie County residents (those establishing residency in St. Lucie County are considered a resident) and can be made online at https://www.tcslc.com/241/Make-an-Appointment.

Requiring appointments for all other services is the latest preventative measure added in response to the increased number of COVID-19 cases, both in our area and across the state of Florida. Additionally, masks are now required for anyone entering a county maintained facility (click here to view the executive order), plexiglass shields have been installed on counters, social distancing is being enforced at each of the three locations (2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, 1664 SE Walton Road and 10264 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie) and common areas are being disinfected throughout the day.

Also, all office locations have extended hours from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. each Monday through Thursday to allow for more transactions per day in an effort to better serve our neighbors. Offices are closed on Fridays.

Office Update 19:

SLC Tax Collector to Require Masks in Lobbies

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Jun. 23, 2020) – For the safety of our neighbors and staff, beginning Monday, June 29, masks will be required for anyone entering the lobbies of the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office. This follows the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for the prevention of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19): “CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.” Additionally, plexiglass shields have been installed on counters, social distancing is being enforced at each of the three locations (2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, 1664 SE Walton Road and 10264 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie) and common areas are being disinfected throughout the day.

For more information on CDC guidelines quoted above, visit cdc.gov, and for updated St. Lucie County Tax Collector office procedures due to COVID-19, visit www.tcslc.com.

Office Update 18:

SLC Tax Collector Fort Pierce Office Exposed to COVID-19

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Jun. 22, 2020) – St. Lucie County Tax Collector Chris Craft has confirmed that one of his office locations was recently exposed to COVID-19. The incident occurred at the Fort Pierce Branch between Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, June 16. The office is working with the Health Department to provide information needed to conduct contact tracing to identify anyone who may be at risk.

“The health and safety of my employees is of the utmost importance to me,” said Tax Collector Chris Craft. “Even with the precautions we put into place, including split shifts for months, plexiglass shields on our counters, encouraging the use of masks and social distancing and frequent disinfecting of common areas, we were not able to escape being affected by this pandemic.”

UPDATE ON COVID-19 OFFICE EXPOSURE:

Through contact tracing, we have narrowed the window of exposure time in our Fort Pierce office to Monday, 6/15 between 8 - 10:30 a.m. We have provided information to the Health Department and they are in the process of contacting those who were potentially exposed. If the Health Department does not contact you on this matter, you are not at risk.

Please keep in mind that going into any public place puts you at risk of exposure to COVID-19. While we are taking extensive precautions to ensure the safety of our employees and customers, the only true way to remain safe is to stay home. Visit us online any time at www.tcslc.com.

Office Update 17:

SLC Tax Collector to Resume Full Staff week of June 15

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Jun. 8, 2020) – Beginning on Monday, June 15, the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office will go back to being fully staffed with extended hours each Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., remaining closed on Fridays. Offices have been operating on split shifts since mid-March due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. But with Governor DeSantis initiating Phase 2 of reopening the state, offices are growing busier, warranting more staff and longer hours to cover the needs of our neighbors.

Following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19, plexiglass shields are being installed on counters and customers are being urged to wear masks and maintain six feet of distance from others while conducting business within any of our offices.

Office Update 16:

SLC Tax Collector Urges Customers to Wear Masks in Lobbies

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Jun. 1, 2020) – For the safety of our neighbors and staff, beginning today, masks are strongly recommended for anyone entering the lobbies of the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office. This follows the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for the prevention of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Additionally, plexiglass shields are being installed on counters and social distancing is being enforced at each of the three locations (2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, 1664 SE Walton Road and 10264 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie).

Also beginning today, all office locations have extended hours from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. to allow for more transactions per day in an effort to better serve our neighbors.

Office Update 15:

SLC Tax Collector to Hold Another Road Test Day for New Drivers

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (May 15, 2020) – Following a successful trial run of a “Road Test Day” at the Fort Pierce and Tradition offices, the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office will once again be hosting an event in June that provides St. Lucie County residents the opportunity to complete a road test to obtain their driver license. Offices will be opening on Friday, June 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to conduct road tests BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at the Fort Pierce (2300 Virginia Avenue) and Tradition (10264 SW Village Parkway) locations. Road tests are the only service that will be provided on that day.

Those interested must go to https://go.nemoqappointment.com/Booking/Booking/Index/8fg74ero876 in order to make an appointment. Drivers must be accompanied by a licensed adult guardian, and all road testers must have a phone with speaker or Bluetooth capability.

Road tests have been canceled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic since March 17, 2020. This one-day event aims to provide an opportunity for our neighbors in St. Lucie County to obtain their driver license by completing and passing the state’s required road test.

Office Update 14:

SLC Tax Collector Announces Extended Hours Effective June 1

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (May 14, 2020) – St. Lucie County residents will soon have extra time to handle all of their DMV and tax collector related business. Effective June 1, the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office will be extending office hours from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with offices remaining closed on Fridays. Current hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., which will continue through the month of May.

Tax Collector Chris Craft is one of only a handful in the state who has kept his office open during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Because each of the three locations (2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, 1664 SE Walton Road and 10264 SW Village Parkway, Port St. Lucie) is operating with limited staff, many customers have experienced longer than normal wait times, both on the phone and in the lobbies. The extended hours will allow for more customers to be served each day, while incorporating Governor DeSantis’ 6-foot social distancing rule.

Office Update 13:

SLC Tax Collector to Hold Road Test Day for New Drivers

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (May 5, 2020) – St. Lucie County residents who need to complete a road test to obtain their driver license will have an opportunity to do so next week. The St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office will be opening on Friday, May 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to conduct road tests BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at the Fort Pierce (2300 Virginia Avenue) and Tradition (10264 SW Village Parkway) locations. Road tests are the only service that will be provided on that day.

Those interested must go to https://go.nemoqappointment.com/Booking/Booking/Index/8fg74ero876 in order to make an appointment. Drivers under the age of 18 must be accompanies by an adult guardian, and all road testers must have a phone with speaker or Bluetooth capability.

Office Update 12:

State Executive Order Extends Expiration Deadlines for Driver License and ID Cards to May 15, 2020

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Apr. 14, 2020) - Florida’s Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles issued an Emergency Order authorizing extensions on driver licenses and ID cards that expire between March 16, 2020 and April 30, 2020, making them valid until May 15, 2020. The Order also:

• Extends through June 30, 2020, the effective period of commercial driver licenses and commercial driver instructional permits with expiration dates on or after March 16, 2020.

• Waives the delinquent renewal fees during the extension period for these driver licenses and identification cards described in the above bullets.

• Waives, through June 30, 2020, medical examiner certificate for those CDL drivers who have proof of a valid medical certificate issued for a period of 90 days or longer that expired on or after March 1, 2020. Note this does not include original CDL issuances.

For more information on this Executive Order, go to https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/emergency/flhsmv_eo_covid19_041320.pdf.

Office Update 11:

St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office Customers Encouraged to Remain "Safer at Home"

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Apr. 1, 2020) - Yesterday, St. Lucie County issued a "Safer-at-Home" Order, encouraging residents to stay at home as much as possible during the continued COVID-19 crisis. The order is less restrictive than a lockdown or shelter in place, and allows travel outside the home for essential activities. While the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office remains open to serve St. Lucie County residents Monday - Thursday, we encourage our neighbors to abide by this order, only coming into our office to conduct business that is absolutely necessary. If you need to renew your registration or pay your property taxes, please consider doing so online to avoid a trip to our office, and if your transaction can wait, we encourage you to do so. For more information on the Safer-at-Home Order, go to: https://www.stlucieco.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=7592&fbclid=IwAR3gM05sJ5-exWY46ckwlDQtQqYQ9MSl-jhQvFlNjhtOo9nm3TjZp3PQpns

Office Update 10:

No Out of State Customers Being Serviced at St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Mar. 31, 2020) – As stated in our March 15 update, all three office locations are ONLY serving St. Lucie County residents due to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. This includes residents from other counties as well as other states, per Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order mandating all out-of-state travelers quarantine for 14 days. St. Lucie County Tax Collector Chris Craft remains committed to the health and safety of employees and customers, and this change was placed into effect because of the growing risk to employees and our neighbors. This change will remain in effect until further notice.

Office Update 9:

Property Tax Payment Deadline Extended by Florida Department of Revenue

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Mar. 26, 2020) – The Department of Revenue issued an Emergency Order today extending the property tax due date from March 31, 2020 to April 15, 2020. In accordance with this order, the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office will accept payments postmarked on or before April 15, 2020. Payments made through our website will be applied to 2019 taxes and will reflect payment of the amount due in 2019. If you have further questions, call 772-462-1650.

For more information on the Emergency Order, visit https://floridarevenue.com/property/Pages/Home.aspx

Office Update 8:

SLC Tax Collector’s Office to Close on Fridays

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Mar. 25, 2020) – Due to the rising threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our area, all three locations of the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office will be closed on Fridays beginning the week of Mar. 30, 2020. This will remain in effect until further notice.

All three office locations are ONLY serving St. Lucie County residents at this time. Registration renewal transactions and tax payments can still be completed online at www.tcslc.com. A reminder that under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issued an Emergency Order granting a 30-day extension beyond the current expiration date for driver licenses and identification cards set to expire between March 16, 2020 and April 15, 2020.

As updates are made available from the state, we will be evaluating our office status and providing information through our website (www.tcslc.com) and social media channels.

Office Update 7:

SLC Tax Collector’s Office Opening Early to Serve Seniors

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Mar. 23, 2020) – As the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to rise in our area, the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office is taking measures to assist those who are most vulnerable to the virus...the elderly. Effective Tuesday, Mar. 24, all three office locations will open a half hour early at 8:30 a.m. to serve St. Lucie County residents who are 62 years of age and older.

A reminder that there will only be a limited number of customers allowed into office lobbies at a time. This will remain in effect until further notice. As updates are made available from the state, we will be updating our own procedures and providing information through our website (www.tcslc.com) and social media channels.

All services, with the exception of road tests, remain available in all three offices, but only St. Lucie County residents are being served at this time. In addition, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles executed an Emergency Order extending the effective period of all driver licenses and identification cards that will expire between March 16, 2020 and April 15, 2020 by 30 days.

Office Update 6:

SLC Tax Collector’s Office to Limit Number of Customers Permitted in Lobbies

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Mar. 21, 2020) – With the first case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) being confirmed in St. Lucie County today, St. Lucie County Tax Collector Chris Craft is taking precautionary measures in an effort to keep his staff and neighbors safe as the risk of the disease continues to grow. Effective Monday, Mar. 23, there will only be a limited number of customers allowed into office lobbies at a time. This will remain in effect until further notice. As updates are made available, we will be updating our own procedures and providing information through our website (www.tcslc.com) and social media channels.

A reminder that all services, with the exception of road tests, remain available in all three offices, but only St. Lucie County residents are being served at this time. In addition, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles executed an Emergency Order extending the effective period of all driver licenses and identification cards that will expire between March 16, 2020 and April 15, 2020 by 30 days.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Office Update 5:

Road Tests Canceled Until Further Notice at SLC Tax Collector’s Office

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Mar. 16, 2020) – Based on action taken by Governor Ron DeSantis in Volusia, Broward and Miami-Dade counties regarding the current nation and statewide Coronavirus (COVID-19) health emergency, the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office is canceling all road tests, effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Any customer with an existing appointment will be notified via email of the cancellation.

This will remain in effect until further notice. As updates are made available from the state, we will be updating our own procedures and providing information through our website (www.tcslc.com) and social media channels.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Office Update 4:

SLC Tax Collector Assists with State Executive Order Extending Expiration Deadlines for Driver License and ID Cards

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Mar. 16, 2020) – At the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis and in response to the current health emergency caused by the rising threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), an Emergency Order has been executed by the Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles regarding expiration dates for Florida driver licenses and identification cards. The Executive Order extends the effective period of all driver licenses and identification cards that will expire between March 16, 2020 and April 15, 2020 by 30 days.

As an agency that processes these transactions on behalf of the state, the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office will be assisting in this effort by making sure delinquent fees are waived for anyone who misses their deadline. It is also recommended that Floridians who wish to temporarily avoid a visit to their local DMV instead print the Executive Order and carry it with their driver license. A copy of this Emergency Order is available at https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/emergency/flhsmv_dl_eo_covid19_031520.pdf.

Registration renewals for all vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, trailers, etc…) remain due on the owner’s birthday, but most can be renewed online at https://renewexpress.com/stlucie/renewals.

Office Update 3:

SLC Tax Collector Only Servicing St. Lucie County Residents in Response to COVID-19

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Mar. 15, 2020) – With confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) steadily increasing throughout the state of Florida, St. Lucie County Tax Collector Chris Craft remains committed to the health and safety of employees and customers. Due to the growing risk to employees and our neighbors, all three office locations will ONLY be serving St. Lucie County residents, effective Monday, Mar. 16, 2020. This change will remain in effect until further notice.

Additionally, as announced last week, because our staff works in such close proximity to each other and our neighbors, sharing equipment and workspace, the potential risk of contamination is extremely high in all of our offices. If one person in an office were to become infected, the entire office would need to be quarantined.

In an effort to ensure we are doing everything we can to stop the spread of the virus and protect our staff and neighbors, while upholding our sworn obligation to provide service to the public, we are taking the following actions:

Beginning Monday, Mar. 16, we will be reducing our staff at each office, cutting our full teams in half to lessen the likelihood of an entire office being subjected to potential infection. Staff will be alternating days with A and B shifts. While this will inevitably mean longer lines for our customers, it also lowers the risk for our employees and helps guarantee our ability to continue to provide service to our neighbors.
Our offices are being cleaned and disinfected daily. We recently increased the frequency of cleaning throughout the day with a focus on high traffic areas.
Our employees are being encouraged to take common-sense health precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including frequent hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
We are encouraging our employees to stay home if they are sick and utilize our paid sick leave policy.

Many transactions can be completed online at www.tcslc.com. Customers are urged to take advantage of this convenient option when possible to avoid the need to come into one of our offices. There are even tutorial videos available on our website to assist you in your online transactions.

All of these safeguards and precautions are made with our staff and customers in mind. They are based on recommendations from local, state and federal health agencies whose experts are working tirelessly to ensure our safety. We will continue to monitor the pandemic and provide office updates as new information becomes available. Our top priority remains the health and safety of both our employees and our customers, while maintaining our sworn duty to provide public service.

Office Update 2:

SLC Tax Collector to Implement Staffing Changes in Response to COVID-19

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Mar. 13, 2020) – As our area and the rest of the state continues to monitor the progression of the coronavirus (COVID-19), St. Lucie County Tax Collector Chris Craft remains committed to the health and safety of employees and customers. Because our staff works in such close proximity to each other and our neighbors, sharing equipment and workspace, the potential risk of contamination is extremely high in all of our offices. If one person in an office were to become infected, the entire office would need to be quarantined.

Beginning Monday, Mar. 16, we will be reducing our staff at each office, cutting our full teams in half to lessen the likelihood of an entire office being subjected to potential infection. Staff will be alternating days with A and B shifts. While this will inevitably mean longer lines for our customers, it also lowers the risk for our employees and helps guarantee our ability to continue to provide service to our neighbors.
Our offices are being cleaned and disinfected daily. We recently increased the frequency of cleaning throughout the day with a focus on high traffic areas.
Our employees are being encouraged to take common-sense health precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including frequent hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
We are encouraging our employees to stay home if they are sick and utilize our paid sick leave policy.
Many transactions can be completed online at www.tcslc.com. Customers are urged to take advantage of this convenient option when possible to avoid the need to come into one of our offices. There are even tutorial videos available on our website to assist you in your online transactions.

Office Update 1:

SLC Tax Collector to Close Early for COVID-19 Planning

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (Mar. 13, 2020) – With the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) being felt more throughout the state of Florida, leadership at the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office will be meeting to discuss mitigation strategies for the virus in an effort to protect the health and safety of staff and customers.

On Friday, Mar. 13, all three office locations will close an hour early at 4 p.m. so that decision-makers and staff can meet and devise a plan to be put into place for the coming days and weeks with regard to COVID-19. Updates on any changes to normal operating procedures will be shared as soon as information is available.

Many transactions can be completed online anytime at www.tcslc.com. For more information, contact Communications Director Carin Smith at carin.smith@tcslc.com.