Hollingsworth celebrates 40-years of service

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners recognized Tax Collector Dennis Hollingsworth for 40-years of dedicated service to the residents of St. Johns County at Tuesday’s regular meeting.

A native of St. Augustine, Dennis maintains strong ties and involvement with the St. Johns County community.  He and his wife Jan (Feltner) Hollingsworth have twin sons, Shelby and Colby.  He is an avid runner, enjoys studying the Bible, and spending time with his family.

Hollingsworth graduated from St. Augustine High School and received his Associate of Arts degree from the St. Johns River Community College. He then pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Stetson University, and earned a Master of Business Administration from Jacksonville University.

Hollingsworth came to work for St Johns County Tax Collector Winnie Hill in 1978 when county government occupied the building which is now the Casa Monica Hotel on Cordova Street downtown.  His first duties were as a field inspector and title clerk.  Six-years later, Hollingsworth was elected St. Johns County Tax Collector and he has held the office ever since.

He is credited with numerous expansions and improvements in service offered to the citizens of St Johns County since he started working at the Tax Collector’s Office.  The office now incorporates the Division of Driver’s License for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.  The office also collects taxes and non-ad valorem assessments for 14 taxing authorities.  The Tax Collector’s Office also handles tourist development tax collection, beach pass sales, hunting and salt water fishing licenses and child safety restraint inspections.

Professionally, Hollingsworth is certified as a Tax Collector by the Florida Department of Revenue.  In 1996, he was elected President of the Florida Tax Collectors Association by its statewide membership.  Over the years, Hollingsworth served as a member of the Legislative Committee, as Chairman of its Department of Natural Resources committee, and Secretary of the Florida Tax Collectors Association.

Hollingsworth also maintains involvement in the Florida Tax Collectors Service Corporation, having served as a Director on its Board and as Secretary/Treasurer. From 2001-2004 Hollingsworth served nationally as a Director on the National Association of County Treasurers and Finance Officers Board of Directors.

He is an adjunct professor at both Flagler College and St. Johns River Community College. He is a member of Kiwanis Club of Historic St. Augustine, having served as President (1987-1988) and received the Outstanding President award. He has been a Director on the boards for Learn to Read of St. Johns County, Inc., Presidio de San Agustin Commission, St. Johns County Education Foundation and the American Cancer Society. He is a member of Crescent Beach Baptist Church and Gideon International, and served on the St. Augustine Firefighters Pension Trust Fund Board from 1988-1993.