DeLand, FL - A historic race is now underway as the first Volusia County Tax Collector candidate announces they're joining the race.
And what makes this race so historical for Will Roberts is what led up to this race.
Almost 50 years ago, the county passed a charter amendment that abolished the elected tax collector role, making it an appointed position as a county employee.
But, that changed last year when voters statewide passed Amendment 10 in November.
That amendment requires all Florida counties to have five constitutional officers, which includes an elected tax collector.
However, there is still an ongoing legal challenge to Amendment 10 that's currently in the Fifth District Court of Appeals. This battle has been drawn out a while by the county, with multiple legal challenges in the past six months.
But even with the challenge in place, Roberts is still moving forward with his tax collector campaign.
Roberts is a 20-year Volusia County resident and political newcomer. He brings seven years of tax collection experience within the Volusia County Revenue Department, along with seven years of law enforcement service and military service with the United States Air Force.
He filed his intent-to-run forms earlier this morning (June 25th) before officially announcing his candidacy for the 2020 general November election on the steps of the historic Volusia County Courthouse.
