Name: Abbey Ajayi
Date, place of birth: April 2, 1960; Nigeria
Campaign website: www.abbeyajayi.com
Occupation: Manager, Records, Taxes & Treasury, Broward County Tax Collector’s office.
Education:
⦁ Certified Collector, Florida Department of Revenue, 2019
⦁ Master of Business Administration (MBA), Florida Atlantic University, 1997
⦁ Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in management (BBA), Florida Atlantic University, 1995
Work history, past 15 years, starting with the most recent.
Manager, Records, Taxes & Treasury, Broward County Tax Collector’s office, 2015-Present
Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo, 2011-2015
Financial Advisor, Smith Barney, 1999-2011
Why are you running for this office, and what makes you the best candidate?
I want to lead the first constitutional office of Broward County Tax Collector to serve the residents of Broward County and foster a sense of community with the Tax Collector’s office. Under my leadership, I want to build a first-class service delivery agency where everyone, regardless of race, gender, sex or religion, is equally treated with dignity and respect. Building trust and being present within the communities that we serve is paramount for our residents to obtain services and know that we truly care about their issues.
Eight years ago, I was chosen by Broward County from several candidates because of my qualifications and experience to lead the Tax Collector’s office. I am the current manager of the Tax Collector’s office. I bring to my candidacy eight years of tax collection experience and 30 years of financial services industry experience both in banking & investments. I am certified by the Florida Department of Revenue to collect taxes. I know what the job entails and can hit the ground running on day one.
Have you ever been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime, received a withheld adjudication or had a matter sealed or expunged? If yes, explain.
NO.
Have you been a plaintiff or defendant in a civil action, including bankruptcy or foreclosure or had a restraining order issued against you? If so, explain.
YES. I was a defendant in a pre-foreclosure action. I was named on the deed, but not a party to the loan. The case was settled prior to foreclosure.
This is a new public office. What is your role model for how it should be run?
The Honorable Nancy C. Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector, because she also worked in the Tax Collector’s office prior to her run for office. I admire her because of her significant accomplishments in her first term and she subsequently got re-elected unopposed in this election cycle. I believe that her experience in the Tax Collector’s office prior to running for office played a pivotal role in her success.
Will you allow private auto tag agencies to stay in business in Broward, even if they charge higher fees? Why or why not?
Yes. The private auto tag agencies currently meet specific needs of a sector of our community and are compensated for the services. The value-added specialized services that they provide merit the additional fee charged. The convenience fees are disclosed, and residents have the option to use the county-run auto tag office at the regular fee.
Will you open branch offices throughout Broward? If so, where, and will they offer weekend hours?
The Tax Collector’s duties per Florida Statute will not change, but the public will see significant changes in how we serve our communities. The transition to the elected Office of Tax Collector will include:
1. Setting up an outreach department — this department will have weekend hours across the county.
2. Taking over five existing Driver’s License offices and integrating them into several new offices.
3. Opening six new integrated offices across the county and hiring staff — Miramar, Weston, Pembroke Pine, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, and Coral Springs — for a total of seven offices.
4. Consolidating services for each office to be a one-stop shop.
