New Sarasota County Tax Collectors' office breaks ground

Construction has begun on a new $6.7 million Sarasota County Tax Collector office at 6100 Sawyer Loop Road.

The 10,770-square-foot office, on nearly six acres, will feature a contained road course for driver license testing, an after-hours payment drop box and a drive-thru payment option.

In addition, the new office will offer a full range of Tax Collector services, including the issuance of driver's licenses, vehicle titles and registrations and tax payment collection.

Officials say the new facility will “provide enhanced and more efficient services for Sarasota County residents.”

The project is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2018. It is being developed by the Tax Collector's office, Sarasota County's Public Works Department, Fawley Bryant Architects and Tandem Construction.

County officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new building, which will contain LED lighting and high-efficiency air conditioning and use other environmentally friendly materials during construction, on Jan. 26.