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1. How do I request public records from the City of Tavares?

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 information can be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at 352.742.6209 or email Susie Novack, City Clerk, at snovack@tavares.org. Many documents are already available online in our Document and Archive Centers.

• The City Clerk’s office is available to assist you with your public records requests.  To expedite your request, please visit the City Clerk’s office, 2nd floor, Tavares City Hall, 201 E Main Street, call 352.742.6279 or 352.742.6209, or Email City Clerk. 
• Police Department public records requests should be submitted to Michelle Taylor. Email Michelle Taylor, phone at 352.742.6200, or mail/visit 911 Gateway Drive, Tavares, Florida 32778.
• 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.

2. How can I speak at the Tavares City Council Meetings?

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 snovack@tavares.org or 352.742.6209. 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.

Request to Speak Form

3. How do I get appointed to City Boards or Committees?

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

Applications should be submitted to the City Clerk.  For additional questions regarding serving on a City of Tavares board or committee please contact the City Clerk at 352.742.6209 or by Email.

Application for City Board or Committee

4. When do City Council Seats expire? When does Tavares hold elections to fill open seats?

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

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1. What is the population of Tavares?

The current population of Tavares is 16,000 people.

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1. How can I become a vendor for the City?

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

2. How do I contact Customer Service for water & sewer bills?

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.

3. What is a Utility Lien?

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.

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1. How can I get on the email list for City news?

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. Subscribe to Notify Me

2. What is Tavares Alert?

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.

Learn more about Tavares Alert & sign up

3. When is the Splash Park Open?

The Splash Park opens the first weekend in April through Labor Day.

Monday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Season passes are available for Tavares residents - available for purchase at Tavares City Hall.

For more information call the Splash Park at 352.742.6267.
More Information on the Splash Park

4. How do I buy a season pass for the Splash Park?

The Splash Park, located in Wooton Park, Ruby Street, is the perfect kids destination for these hot summer days. A seaon pass can be purchased at Tavares City Hall at 201 E. Main Street, Customer Service Desk, 1st Floor.

5. What kind of incentives does Tavares offer to new and existing businesses?

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. Learn more about Tavares incentives

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1. How do I contact someone at the City?

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.

Staff Directory

2. How can I speak at the Tavares City Council Meetings?

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 NBarnett@Tavares.org or 352.253.4546.

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. Request to speak form

3. How do I apply for a Business Tax Receipt?

Follow the link below for the appropriate form. For additional information call the City License Clerk at 352.742.6414. Business Tax Receipt Form

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1. Must employees live in City limits?

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.

2. Does Tavares offer a retirement plan?

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.

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1. How do I apply for a library card?

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.

2. Who can get a library card?

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.

3. How do I view what books are available at the Tavares Library?

Our entire catalog can be viewed online. Our online database will let you know if a book is available or checked out. You can also place a temporary hold on the book of your choice.
Tavares Online Catalog.

4. What if I lose my library card?

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.

5. What do I do if I lose or damage an item?

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.

6. Will my library card work at other libraries?

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

7. What if the library does not own the items I need?

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.

8. May I check out items if I do not have my library card?

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.

9. What if the item I want is already checked out?

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.

10. How will I know when to return items?

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

11. May I renew items?

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.

12. What events are available for children at the Library?

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

Library event calendar

13. What is a Reciprocal Borrower?

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.

14. How do I become a Reciprocal Borrower?

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.

15. Does the library accept credit card payments?

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.

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1. I received a traffic ticket, where do I pay?

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.

2. I'll be leaving for vacation and I'm concerned about my vacant house. Can you help?

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.

3. I received a telephone call soliciting funds for a police group, should I donate?

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.

4. I received a ticket and I don't think it is fair. What can I do?

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.

5. What can I do to help the Tavares 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.

6. Can I have an officer check on a license plate, drivers license or if someone has a warrant?

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.

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1. How can I reserve a pavilion or gazebo at Wooton Park?

Pavilion/gazebo bookings at Wooton Park are made through The Prop Shop. Call (352) 742-6267 for more information or click the link below:
Pavilion Rental Information

2. How do I get to the Seaplane Base & Marina?

The Seaplane Base & Marina is located at 150 East Ruby Street, Tavares, Florida 32778. Google Maps

3. What are the Splash Park hours and prices?

The Splash Park is open every day of the week from 10:00am to 6:00pm from April to September. Admission is $2 for anyone entering the Splash Pad fenced areas. $15 for each Seasonal Pass for bona fide City residents. Seasonal passes are available for purchase at City Hall. Splash Park Party packages are also available. Call The Prop Shop for more information (352) 742-6267. Splash Park Webpage

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1. How much does it cost to open a utility account?

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.