Larry Hart was elected as Lee County Tax Collector in 2012 after holding the position of Assistant Tax Collector for almost 11 years. He was appointed as interim Tax Collector by Governor Rick Scott in July 2012 after the passing of his predecessor, Cathy Curtis.

The Lee County Tax Collector’s Office has six locations and over 200 employees to effectively and efficiently serve the needs of the community. Additionally, Lee County was one of the first tax collector offices statewide to assume the responsibility for processing driver licenses. The Lee County Tax Collector’s Office continues to move forward with excellence, utilizing management principals from the Florida Sterling Council.

The Tax Collector provides oversight in strategic development, leading the responsibility for developing and implementing program goals. Larry is well known statewide for his participation with the Florida Tax Collector’s Association. He was recently appointed as the Legislative Committee Chairman, and has developed a strong working relationship in Tallahassee.

Larry has a long history of public service. He retired as Chief of Police for the Fort Myers Police Department after serving a total of twenty-two years as a professional law enforcement officer. His service also includes an appointment by Governor Jeb Bush to the Board of Trustees for Florida Gulf Coast University, and reappointed by Governors Charlie Christ and Rick Scott. He held the position of Chairman of the Board until his appointment as Tax Collector. He was also appointed by the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives as Director to the Florida Substance Abuse and Mental Health Corporation.

Currently, Larry is a member of Florida Gulf Coast University Advocacy Program; The Board of Directors for the Southwest Florida Addiction Services; Hope Hospice Board of Directors; The Children Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida; The FBI National Academy Association; The International Police Chiefs Association, and serves The Florida Tax Collectors Association as Legislative Committee Chairman.

Larry has an Associate’s Degree from Edison College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Barry University. He is a 1990 graduate of the 161st session of the FBI National Academy and has served his country in the United States Armed Services.