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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.

City Clerk

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  • In accordance with 2017-21, Laws of Florida / Statute 119, Florida
    CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC RECORDS
    City of Tavares
    201 E. Main St.
    Tavares, FL 32778
    Phone: 352-742-6209

    Public records, City Council resolutions and ordinances, and other City documents can be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at 352.742.6209 or email Susie Novack, City Clerk, at susie.novack@tavaresfl.gov. 

    • CITY RECORDS: The City Clerk’s office is available to assist you with your public records requests.  To expedite your request, please mail/visit the City Clerk’s office, 2nd floor, Tavares City Hall, 201 E Main Street, call 352.742.6279 or 352.742.6209, Email City Clerk, or complete the online form.
    • POLICE RECORDS: Police Department public records requests should be submitted to the Records Department. Email Records, call (352) 742-6200, mail/visit 911 Gateway Drive, Tavares, Florida 32778, or complete the online form.
    • POLICE AND FIRE PENSION FUND RECORDS; To obtain the City of Tavares Police Officers’ Pension Trust Fund and City of Tavares Firefighters’ Pension Trust Fund please email Foster and Foster, Inc. at troy.jenne@foster-foster.com. 
    City Clerk

  • City Council Meetings are an opportunity for the public to speak on issues of concern. This can be done in two ways: Based on the Request to Speak forms received, the Mayor will call for comments during the appropriate agenda item. Each person who submitted a request for that topic may go to the podium and speak to the Council. At the completion of the listed agenda items, there is an Audience to be Heard portion, when the public can go to the podium and speak on any topic of concern, whether is it on the day's agenda, or not. Persons who filled out a Request to Speak form on a topic not on the current Council agenda will be called to the podium during this time. Once the City Council agenda has been compiled and posted, any person wishing to speak at the meeting can complete a form online, or complete a form at the meeting. Forms will also be available in the Council Chambers 30 minutes prior to the meeting for the public to fill in and submit to the City Clerk before the meeting starts. If a form has not been turned in before the meeting, the Mayor or Chair of the meeting has the option of whether or not to accept public comment.

    Please contact the City Clerk with any questions at susie.novack@tavaresfl.gov, or 352.742.6209.

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    City Clerk

  • As openings become available the City will advertise for Tavares residents to fill the vacancy. All interested persons will be asked to submit an application for consideration. A copy of the application can be found at the link below.  The Mayor makes appointments to the following boards and committees:

    Fire & Police Pension Boards

    Tavares Advisory Library Board

    Tavares Planning & Zoning Board

    Lake County Arts & Cultural Alliance - City Representative

    MPO Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee - City Representative

    Lake County Library Advisory Board - City Representative

    Lake Community Action Agency - City Representative

    City Clerk

  • The City of Tavares holds City Council elections each year in November, with Council members serving two year terms. Seat #1, Seat #3, and Seat #5 come open in even years. Seat #2 and Seat #4 come open in odd years. All seats are at-large and a potential candidate can declare to run for any open seat. Candidates interested in running for open seats must qualify by mid-August of each election year. If you are interested in becoming a candidate for City Council, contact Susie Novack, City Clerk for specific deadlines and a qualifying packet at 352.742.6209 or snovack@tavares.org
    City Clerk

Finance

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

  • 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 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can call 742.6400 or email UtilityBilling@Tavares.org for more information.
    Finance

  • 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.
    Finance

Economic Development

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  • The current population of Tavares is 16,000 people.
    Economic Development

Police Department

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  • 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.
    Police Department

  • Tavares Police Department has a house check program where officers will frequently check on your residence while you are gone. Sign up online and select “Vacation Watch” then enter your pertinent information. Click this link to open Tavares Citizen Online Reporting Software to get started. Call 352-742-6200 for more information.

    Police Department

  • 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.
    Police Department

  • 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.
    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.
    Police Department

  • 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.
    Police Department

Library

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  • 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.
    Library

  • 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.
    Library

  • 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.
    Library

  • 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.
    Library

  • 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
    Library

  • 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.
    Library

  • 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.
    Library

  • 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.
    Library

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

  • 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.
    Library

  • All of our events and programs are shown on our Event Calendar.

    Library

  • 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, Seminole and Volusia.

    Library

  • 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.
    Library

  • Fines and other fees incurred on your Lake County Library System library card may be paid using a debit or credit card. The Library is working with the Tavares Utility Billing Department to provide this service. Simply tell the staff at the Utility Billing window in City Hall that you would like to pay your library card account fees with your debit or credit card. Utility Billing will notify the library and swipe your card. The library will clear your account. Please be sure to ask to have library staff print a receipt for you to pick up if you wish to have a list of the fees you paid.
    Library

Home Page FAQ

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  • To receive the most up-to-date City news, subscribe to Notify Me. Notify Me allows you to select what news you want to receive from the following choices: News Flash, Calendar Events, Job Postings and Bid Postings. Provide your email address (or cell phone number for text messages) and when new items are posted they will automatically be sent to you.
    Home Page FAQ

  • 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.
    Home Page FAQ

  • The Tavares Splash Park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

    Click this link for more information, rules and regulations: Tavares Splash Park | Tavares, FL - Official Website

    Home Page FAQ

  • 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.
    Home Page FAQ

How Do I?

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  • 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 for assistance.
    How Do I?

  • City Council Meetings are an opportunity for the public to speak on issues of concern. This can be done in two ways: Based on the Request to Speak forms received, the Mayor will call for comments during the appropriate agenda item. Each person who submitted a request for that topic may go to the podium and speak to the Council. At the completion of the listed agenda items, there is an Audience to be Heard portion, when the public can go to the podium and speak on any topic of concern, whether is it on the day's agenda, or not. Persons who filled out a Request to Speak form on a topic not on the current Council agenda will be called to the podium during this time. Once the City Council agenda has been compiled and posted, any person wishing to speak at the meeting must notify the City Clerk at susie.novack@tavaresfl.gov or (352) 742-6279. Forms can be downloaded, filled in, and brought to the meeting or emailed to the City Clerk. Forms will also be available in the Council Chambers 30 minutes prior to the meeting for the public to fill in and submit to the City Clerk before the meeting starts. If a form has not been turned in before the meeting, the Mayor or Chair of the meeting has the option of whether or not to accept public comment.

    How Do I?

  • Follow the link below for the appropriate form. For additional information call the City License Clerk at 352.742.6414.
    How Do I?

Human Resources

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  • 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.
    Human Resources

  • 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.
    Human Resources

Water & Sewer Services

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  • 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.
    Water & Sewer Services

Seaplane Base & Marina

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