Florida has a long history of African American public officials serving as Tax Collectors. There were at least 25 African American Tax Collectors serving in Florida during the Reconstruction period in the late 1800s. [1] Homer Bryan and David Montgomery both began serving as Tax Collector in 1868.[2] Mr. Bryan served in Jackson County and Mr. Montgomery served in Madison County.[3] Additionally, William M. Clark was the longest serving African American Florida Tax Collector during this time period serving as Goldsboro’s Tax Collector for 11 years.[4] These public servants were an early form of Florida Tax Collectors, most of whom served as municipal officers.[5] Florida’s current Constitution, adopted in 1968, created the office of Florida Tax Collector in Article VIII section 1(d) which provides that Tax Collectors shall be elected to 4 year terms.[6]
This month, in honor of Black History Month, we wanted to highlight the careers of three of Florida’s Tax Collectors who have the distinction of being the first African American state-constitution Tax Collectors in the state of Florida. All three of these fine public servants were elected in 2000 and have served with distinction in their respective communities and in the Florida Tax Collectors Association.
Lois H. Hunter, Tax Collector in and for the Jefferson county political subdivision
The Honorable Lois H. Hunter is a lifelong resident of Jefferson County and prior to being elected as Tax Collector, she worked as a clerk in the Tax Collector’s Office for 16 years.
Ms. Hunter said that being elected Tax Collector back in 2000 “was a dream come true” and that it is a “privilege and honor to serve the citizens of the Jefferson county political subdivision.”
Ms. Hunter was elected to the Office of Tax Collector in 2000 and made history as the first African-American to serve in this position in the Jefferson county political subdivision. The Honorable Lois H. Hunter is currently serving her 4th term as Tax Collector and continues to make improvements in office operations, efficiency and customer service in her leadership role.
Lois H. Hunter received her Certified Florida Collector designation (C.F.C.) from the Florida Department of Revenue in 2001. She is actively involved in the Florida Tax Collectors Association (FTCA) and currently serves as a District Director on the Board of Directors for FTCA.
Ms. Hunter is active in her community, supports many local initiatives and has received many awards for her impact as a community leader.
Shirley Jenkins, Tax Collector in and for the Gulf county political subdivision
The Honorable Shirley Jenkins currently serves as Tax Collector for the Gulf County political subdivision. She is the first African American serving in this elected position in Gulf County. Mrs. Jenkins began her employment with the Gulf County Tax Collector’s office in 1985. Although she never considered herself to be a politician, she chose to run for the position of Tax Collector in 2000 and was honored, grateful and humbled that the citizens in the Gulf county political subdivision have the confidence in her to serve in this position. She has been re-elected without opposition since 2001.
Mrs. Jenkins serves on the Florida Tax Collector’s Service Corporation and is a Certified Tax Collector. She also serves on the Capital City Bank Board of Directors for the Port St. Joe Branch, and has served in the past on the Gulf Coast Community College Board of Trustees and the Washington Improvement Group- Board of Directors.
Shirley Jenkins would like for women of today to know that she is guided in her career as a politician by the hand of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what keeps her grounded and guides her way as a politician who serves her community with honesty and integrity.
Her career does not stop with her position as Tax Collector. Mrs. Jenkins serves as Pastor of New Life Christian Center Church located in Port St. Joe, Florida where she pastors along with her husband, Apostle Johnny Jenkins, Jr. She is an advisor of several outreach programs targeting women and the community. New Life Christian Center is committed to the fulfillment of the will of God and the practice of Christian life in Port St. Joe, Gulf County and the world.
The Honorable Shirley Jenkins hopes to enlighten women on her career and also provide guidance in the endeavors of all women of this generation. Her philosophy is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Doris Maloy, Tax Collector in and for the Leon county political subdivision
The Honorable Doris Maloy has served the state of Florida in her role as a civil servant and later as an elected official for more than 40 years. She began her career in public service in 1976 working for the Florida Public Service Commission as a rate analyst. Thereafter, she worked for the Florida Department of Commerce, Executive Office of Governor Bob Graham, Executive Office of Governor Lawton Chiles and Executive Office of Governor Jeb Bush.
Ms. Maloy obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and her Master of Business Administration from Florida State University. She was elected to the Office of Tax Collector in 2000 and made history as the first woman and first African-American to serve in this position in Leon County. Hon. Doris Maloy said, “Being the first comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility and that always has been paramount in the way that I work with staff and others in a leadership capacity. My career in state government began in 1976 and for a long time I was either the only female or the only African American in my area, so when elected, I really didn’t think about being a ‘first’ until many comments were made about making history in Leon County and even the state of Florida. As the first female and the first African American to serve as tax collector in Leon County, two words come to mind – humbled and blessed. Thus, I sincerely thank the citizens of Leon County for having confidence in my ability to serve them.” Ms. Maloy has brought true leadership to the Office of Tax Collector and has and continues to make significant improvements in office operations, innovation and customer service.
Ms. Maloy served as President of FTCA during the 2012-2013 term and continues to play an active role within FTCA. She also serves as a Florida representative for the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers, and Finance Officers. Ms. Maloy has been recognized as a leader throughout the community and has received several awards and recognitions for her efforts, to include:
- Tallahassee Urban League, Inc., Legend Awardee (2017)
- Recognized as Civil Rights Trailblazer by Bethel Empowerment Foundation (2014)
- Received Woman of Excellence Award by Wiley College (2013)
- 2012 Honorary Chair for Fun Run/Walk of the American Lung Association
- Recognized as Glass Ceiling Accomplisher by WCTV Broadcasting
- Selected as one of “25 Women You Need to Know” (2012)
- Recognized as “Tallahassee’s Firsts” (2011)
- Top Ten Business Women of American Business Women’s Association (2010)
- Inductee into Hall of Fame at Amos P. Godby High School (2010)
- Calendar Honoree, African American Calendar Unveiling (2009)
- Women of Excellence Award by Bethel Missionary Baptist Church (2003)
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[1] See Brown, Canter. Florida’s Black Public Officials, 1867-1924 78-142 (1998).
[2] Brown, at 78, 112.
[3] Brown, at 78, 112.
[4] Brown, at 80.
[5] See Brown, at 78-142.
[6] Fla. Const. Art. VIII, §1(d).