Mike Fasano spent his first day as Pasco County’s tax collector visiting the four offices that are now under his supervision.
“I was so impressed by the abilities of the staff and their work ethic,” said Fasano, who said he plans to listen and learn as much as he can while transitioning into his new role.
Fasano was selected by Gov. Rick Scott to assume the post left empty by the death of Mike Olson, the tax collector since 1981, who died suddenly in June.
Scott appointed Fasano at an Aug. 7 ceremony at New Port Richey City Hall.
Fasano, a Republican from New Port Richey, said he was honored that the governor made the appointment in person, with colleagues from the Legislature there to share the event.
Olson, who held the office longer than any other tax collector in Florida, had a reputation for efficiency and customer service.
Fasano said he plans to build on that foundation.
Shortly before his death, Olson was seeking new locations in the central and eastern parts of the county to improve services for customers. At the time, Olson said the tax collector’s office at 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. was too small and that its parking lot was unsafe for people who were there to take tests for their driver’s license.
Olson advocated finding a new location, which would include a driving course where applicants for driver’s licenses could take their tests.
Olson predicted that driver’s license offices equipped with driver courses would become the prototype of the future.
Olson was also pushing for a regional office to serve the Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel areas. He said that office should have a driving course, too.
Fasano said there’s no doubt that the tax collector needs an office in the Wesley Chapel area.
“There’s a customer service need, especially when it comes to driver’s licenses and registrations,” he said.
He thinks it is likely that a future office in the area will be located somewhere around SR 56 or old SR 54.
Fasano also thinks he needs to take a look at the Land O’ Lakes facilities.
He said he wants to be sure that he understands the office needs. While Olson was interested on pushing ahead on those offices, Fasano said he is not pursuing those new facilities immediately.
Rather, the county should use the money to help avoid major tax cuts and to limit the need for a tax increase, Fasano said. He is interested in pursuing the possibility of shared facilities with the county and the school district.
“We’re all from Pasco, and we all have to work together,” said Fasano, who was a state lawmaker for 19 years, serving in both the state house and state senate.
His appointment drew praise from legislative colleagues.
“Rep. Fasano has worked tirelessly over the past 19 years in office fighting for the consumer and the little guy and gal,” State Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz, said in a news release. “He brings not only the expertise and know-how to run the office of tax collector, but he possesses the passion for excellent service that will benefit Pasco residents for years to come.”
Pasco County Democratic Executive Committee Chair Lynn Lindeman also applauded Fasano’s appointment.
“That’s what he wanted, and for his service, he deserves it,” Lindeman said, noting that residents have lost a Republican legislator from Pasco who put residents’ well being ahead of ideology and dictates.
Fasano, 55, will hold the office through Nov. 11, 2014, when an election will be held to fill the post until 2016. The post pays more than $136,000 a year.
Even before his appointment, Fasano said he had been considering a run for the tax collector’s post, but said he didn’t plan to do that until Olson retired.
While Fasano adjusts to his new role, a primary election has been set to fill the District 36 he vacated in the state house.
Gov. Scott has scheduled a special primary election for that seat on Sept. 17, and a special general election on Oct. 14. The seat encompasses about 94,000 Pasco County voters within 35 precincts.
