Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers (center, left) and Tax Collector Nancy Millan (center, right) celebrated the launch of a new mobile service center on Tuesday. Photos: Hillsborough County.
Seniors, residents with disabilities, those who lack reliable transportation, and anyone who struggles to access government services have a new resource in Hillsborough County.
Tax Collector Nancy Millan announced the launch of MILES (Mobile Ids, Licenses, and Essential Services) on Tuesday. The specially designed bus represents an innovative effort to reach underserved communities.
MILES will bring key tax collector services directly into neighborhoods throughout the county. Residents can receive driver’s licenses, identification cards, handicap placards, and vehicle titles, make property tax payments, and renew registrations on the bus.
“From day one, I knew that serving a community meant more than just keeping up with growth,” Millan said. “It meant making sure residents in every corner of this county have access to services.”
Tax Collector Nancy Millan pledged to continue identifying innovative ways to serve the community.
Millan took the helm in 2021 with a vision not only to increase efficiency, she said, but also to redefine “what accessibility looks like for every resident of Hillsborough County.” For example, the tax collector noted a partnership with the sheriff’s office that helps people exiting jail obtain identification or a driver’s license so they can “restart or rebuild their lives.”
MILES is a continuation of that vision, Millan said. “This is what government looks like when we work our very best.”
The mobile service center features an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramp, a wide entryway and maneuverable interior space, lower counters and bilingual signage, and staff trained to assist seniors and residents with physical limitations.
MILES will also travel to community events.
“This vehicle is not the typical DMV way of doing business,” Millan said. “And we recognize that physical office locations, no matter how well they’re staffed and efficiently run, cannot serve everyone coming into our county.”
She said MILES will support small business owners with tight schedules and residents in rural areas far from an office. A partnership with the farming community in Plant City is in the works.
The mobile center will travel to senior centers, schools, hospitals, and anywhere there is a need, Millan said. Residents and organizations can also request a visit. “Every mile we travel, every neighborhood we visit, every family we serve – it’s all about helping our community thrive.”
County Commissioner Gwen Myers noted that something as seemingly simple as updating paperwork or renewing registrations can become a “real hardship” for many families. “MILES will make a meaningful difference for seniors and underserved communities,” she said.
“This mobile resource helps lift that burden and ensures our most vulnerable residents aren’t left behind.”
For more information on MILES, visit the website here.
Residents can request a visit from MILES, and the tax collector’s office will soon post a bus schedule.
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