Joe G. Tedder, CFC, Tax Collector for Polk County

Joe has served as a community leader in Polk County since 1992 when he was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives. He further established himself in our community as our Tax Collector starting in 1997 and subsequently being re-elected to the position in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020.

His impact has not only been as an elected officer, but in many other ways in Polk County and across the state. Joe has served as:

• President of the Florida Tax Collector’s Association

• Chair and Treasurer of the United Way of Central Florida Board of Directors

• President of the Leadership Lakeland Alumni Association

• Chair of the American Heart Association Heart Walk

• Chairman of the Florida State Alumni Band

• Lakeland Chamber of Commerce as a Board Member and Past Treasurer

• Chairman for Polk County Kids Tag Art

• Friend of the Tri-County Human Services Inc

• Served as Vice Chair on the Florida Commission on Government Accountability to the People (GAP)

• Served as a member of the Enterprise Florida Capital

• Served on the Florida Commission on Education Reform and Accountability

Joe has had the privilege to be recognized by several organizations for his accomplishments including:

• In 2015, under Joe’s direction, the Tax Collector’s Office for Polk County received the Florida Governor’s Sterling Award. This award recognizes role models in the business and governmental sectors for performance excellence.

• In 2013, Joe was inducted into the Polk County School’s Hall of Fame

• In 2017 received United Way George Jenkins Award

• In 2022 received the Rotary Club of Lakeland Four Way Test Award

• In 2023 received the Polk Vision Distinguished Alumni Award

• In 2023 received the Bartow Rotary Man of Merit Award

Joe received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting at Florida Southern College and is a Certified Florida Tax Collector issued by the State of Florida. He is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class XIII and Leadership Polk Class I.

Joe is a proud husband of Dr. Tracey Tedder, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Florida Southern College.