TAMPA, FL (September 3, 2013) – Last week during the annual meeting and education forum of Florida’s 67 county Tax Collectors in Orlando, Hillsborough County’s Tax Collector Doug Belden was honored with an award of distinction by his peers.  The Madison Langley (Matt) Bell III Award is presented to Tax Collectors that have made a significant and lasting impact on the Florida Tax Collectors’ Association and citizens of Florida.  This coveted award was established in honor of the late Matt Bell III, former Escambia County Tax Collector.  Belden is only the third Florida Tax Collector to receive the award since it was established in 1999.  He was recognized for his innovative ideas, his volunteer spirit, and his dedication to making government services better in the state of Florida.  “I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award.” Belden said

Belden has been active in the Florida Tax Collectors’ Association since he took office in 1998, serving as President in 2004-2005 and chair of the Legislative Committee for several years.  Most recently, he fought the state’s proposal to privatize the distribution of license plates that would have created a hardship on Florida motor vehicle owners.  Under Doug Belden’s leadership, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s office was also recognized as the first agency in Hillsborough County and the first Tax Collector in the state to receive the Governor’s Sterling award in 2008, followed by Sterling’s Sustained Performance Excellence Award in 2011.