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City Clerk

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1. How do I qualify to run for City Council?

The Tavares municipal election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 to fill two open Council seats. All persons who wish to be qualified as a candidate for City Council must qualify for election by August 15, 2011 at 12:00 noon. For further information and/or to obtain a Candidate for Office packet, contact the City Clerk at 352.253.4546.

2. How do I request public records from Tavares?

Public records, City Council resolutions and ordinances, and other information can be requested by contacting the City Clerk's Office at 352.253.4546. Many documents are already available online in our Document and Archive Centers.

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Economic Development

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1. What is the population of Tavares?

The current population of Tavares is 13,500 people.

2. What incentives does the City of Tavares offer to new and existing businesses?

Tavares offers a number of incentives for new businesses such as our Impact Fee Waivers and our Ad Valorem tax Exemption Program. The city also assists with growing second stage businesses. This program is called Economic Gardening Program. Lake County and the State of Florida offer a variety of incentives as well.

Please click on link for more information. Business Incentives

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Finance

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1. How can I become a vendor for the City?

Vendors who are interested in selling products and services to the City can find the requirements and opportunities from Purchasing Services

2. How do I contact Customer Service for water & sewer bills?

This service is provided by Utility Billing under the responsibility of the Finance Department. Their office is on the first floor of Tavares City Hall and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can call 742.6400 or email UtilityBilling@Tavares.org for more information.

3. What is a Utility Lien?

When a Utility customer falls behind in payments, and is unwilling or unable to negotiate payment, the City has the legal right to lien the property to collect the debt. If you receive a Letter of Final Notice, telling you that your Utility bill is past due and further action may be taken, contact Lori Houghton, Finance Director, 352.742.6212 for further assistance.

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Home Page FAQ

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1. What is Tavares Alert?

Tavares is now utilizing a mass notification system, called Tavares Alert, that will allow city officials to quickly communicate with residents during time-sensitive situations. The system is capable of placing thousands of telephone calls within a matter of minutes. The City can also send text messages to cell phones, e-mail accounts and TTY/TDD receiving devices for the hearing impaired.

The City can target messages to various groups, such as residents or businesses, or by simply selecting specific geographical locations utilizing City maps.

Tavares Alert will be used to supplement current communication plans and augment public safety/first responder services.

Learn more about Tavares Alert & sign up

2. What kind of incentives does Tavares offer to new and existing businesses?

The city offers a variety of incentives from waiving impact fees to property location assistance. Each case is different and may be eligible for one or more incentives. For a personal review, contact our Economic Development Department at (352) 742-6402, or bneron@tavares.org. Learn more about Tavares incentives

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How Do I?

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1. How do I contact someone at the City?

Check our online Staff Directory for the appropriate staff person. If you can't find who you are looking for, call our central City Hall number at 352-742-6209.

Staff Directory

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Human Resources

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1. Must employees live in City limits?

We strive to hire the best possible employees, with the widest range of skills and experience. As long as you can comply with the job's posted work hours, and can quickly return to your work station in an emergency situation, we do not require that our employees live within the city limits of Tavares.

2. Does Tavares offer a retirement plan?

The city of Tavares participates in the Florida State Retirement System, at no cost to our employees. We also offer a variety of voluntary deferred compensation plans.

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Library

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1. How do I apply for a library card?

You will need to complete an application form, and provide identification that includes verification of your current residence address. A parent or legal guardian must sign for a child who is under 16 years of age.

2. Who can get a library card?

Library cards are available free to any resident of Lake County. Non-residents are charged a $40 annual fee for a card. The non-resident fee is waived for Reciprocal Borrowers.

3. How do I view what books are available at the Tavares Library?

Our entire catalog can be viewed online. Our online database will let you know if a book is available or checked out. You can also place a temporary hold on the book of your choice.
Tavares Online Catalog.

4. What if I lose my library card?

Report lost cards immediately. The first replacement card is free, but a fee of $2.00 is charged for each subsequent card. There will be no charge if a police report has been filed for a stolen card.

5. What do I do if I lose or damage an item?

You will be charged a replacement fee plus a service charge for lost or damaged materials. A $1.00 fee will be charged for each barcode which is lost, damaged, or tampered with.

6. Will my library card work at other libraries?

Anyone with a Lake County Library System card can use it at any of the member libraries. Ask for a list of members or view a list at www.mylakelibrary.org

7. What if the library does not own the items I need?

If the item is available from another member library, just place a hold on the item you want as usual. There is a courier who travels between the member libraries five days a week, and the library will notify you when the item becomes available. The system also provides interlibrary loan service outside the system.

8. May I check out items if I do not have my library card?

All patrons should present their library card to checkout. Staff may accept other identification in lieu of a library card. No one may use another patron’s card without physically having the card. Permission to use the card may be verified by the staff before allowing checkout. Some type of identification will be required to check out any materials.

9. What if the item I want is already checked out?

You may reserve most items. You will need your library card to place the HOLD. The library will notify you by telephone or , if you have provided it to staff, e- mail when the item becomes available.

10. How will I know when to return items?

When checking out at the Circulation Desk, you will receive a printed receipt which will list titles, barcodes and due dates.

11. May I renew items?

Yes, you may renew materials in person, or by telephone. Please call 742-6204. Have the items at hand when you call. Items on reserve and Reference items may not be renewed.

12. What events are available for children at the Library?

All of our events and programs are shown on our Event Calendar.
Library event calendar

13. What is a Reciprocal Borrower?

A reciprocal borrower is a resident of any county which has entered into an agreement with Lake County to provide services. The non-resident card fee is waived, memberships are good for one year and are renewable at no charge. At this time the participating counties are: Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia.

14. How do I become a Reciprocal Borrower?

Present your valid library card to any participating member library and provide appropriate ID with your current residential address. Be aware that circulation rules may vary depending on the lending library and all materials checked out must be returned to a library in the county from which it is borrowed.

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Police Department

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1. I received a traffic ticket, where do I pay?

Traffic tickets can be paid either by mail or in person to the Clerk of the Court. The reverse side of the ticket will have information regarding payment. You can also call the Lake County Courthouse or the Tavares Police Department for more information. The courthouse telephone number is (352)742-4133 and the mailing address and location is at 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778.

2. I'll be leaving for vacation and I'm concerned about my vacant house. Can you help?

Tavares Police Department has a house check program where officers will frequently check on you residence while you are gone. You will need to fill out a form in the event the officers need to contact you while you are away. Call (352)742-6200 for more information.

3. I received a telephone call soliciting funds for a police group, should I donate?

The Tavares Police Department does not solicit funds via the telephone or by any other method, nor do they authorize or sponsor any entity to solicit donations on their behalf. If you are asked for funds on behalf of the Tavares Police, hang-up. The vast majority of telephone solicitations are not connected with any police or fire department.

4. I received a ticket and I don't think it is fair. What can I do?

If you received a ticket and you feel that it was issued in error, then we encourage you to contact the traffic department at the Lake County Courthouse and set up a hearing before a judge. The telephone number for more information is (352)742-4133. Tavares Police Department cannot void or mitigate citations once they are issued.

5. What can I do to help the Tavares Police Department?

We encourage everyone to become involved in their community. You can belong to a Crime Watch Program, or a assist with a youth project. Please contact the Department and speak with a representative for more details. (352)742- 6200.

6. Can I have an officer check on a license plate, drivers license or if someone has a warrant?

State and Federal regulations prohibit officers from accessing this data to retrieve information not related to investigative or official purposes, and the information can only be shared with law enforcement entities.

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Water & Sewer Services

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1. How much does it cost to open a utility account?

The deposit for a new residential account is $175; there is an additional $100 deposit required for an irrigation meter. The deposit for a new commercial account is determined at the time of application, as the type of business factors into the calculation. Call (352) 742-6400 for more information, or email utilitybilling@tavares.org.