The holiday season has officially begun! We want to wish you all peace and joy as we wrap up 2023. May you have a wonderful Christmas celebration with family and friends. We hope you enjoy the holidays, but we would like to share some important news and updates before 2023 comes to a close.
With the end of the year quickly approaching, we ask Collier County citizens to submit any documents for recording by noon on December 26, 2023, to ensure they are officially recorded in 2023. Due to the holiday schedule and end-of-year rush to record documents, our office cannot guarantee that documents submitted after noon on December 26 will be officially recorded in 2023. If you are recording a real estate deed, please remember the new process for recording deeds we covered in last month’s newsletter for a quick and smooth transaction with our office.
Recently, I shared an update about the Infrastructure Sales Surtax when the Collier County Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance 2023-45, sunsetting the existing 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax because the Surtax had generated the target amount two years ahead of schedule. Since then, discussions have begun regarding the potential tax reauthorization. Collier County continues to grow at a high rate and a majority of the County Surtax-funded projects were substantially over their budgeted estimates due to the inflationary conditions we are experiencing. Without the reimposition of the surtax, the County would need to fund the completion of projects from other funds or borrow money to fund additional mission-critical infrastructure, thus incurring interest costs. Watch for the Board agenda for items relating to the sales tax.
I want to once again extend an invitation to Collier County couples to participate in our 4th annual Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony. Engaged couples who are interested in joining should plan to secure their marriage licenses between December 16, 2023, and February 11, 2024, to be eligible to marry on Valentine’s Day. Details for this exciting event are still to come, but whether you are planning to marry or renewing your vows, we hope you will plan to join us!
As residents begin planning their year-end charitable donations, we urge you to be prudent in researching the not-for-profit entities you may consider supporting.
Christmas is the season of joy and giving and our community is incredibly generous. As we look forward to a bright and productive new year and reflect on our blessings in 2023, we want to thank the community for your support of our office and your engagement in our events. You truly make us successful everyday by using our services and letting us know how we can improve.
Have a Happy Hanukkah and a very Merry Christmas!