Barbara Ford-Coates wins Thomson Reuters Public Sector Champion Award

Presentation recognizes efforts to increase office efficiencies

Sarasota County Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates (left) accepts the award from Lisa Hargiss, senior director for technical marketing with Thomson Reuters. Contributed photo
Sarasota County Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates (left) accepts the award from Lisa Hargiss, senior director for technical marketing with Thomson Reuters. Contributed photo

Sarasota County Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates has received the 2016 Thomson Reuters Public Sector Champion Award for Excellence in Office Leadership, Thomson Reuters has announced.

The seven-person evaluation committee examined nominees from more than 1,000 Thomson Reuters government customers worldwide in areas of planning, leadership and service, a news release says.

The award was presented on Sept. 21 by Lisa Hargiss, senior director of technical marketing for the firm, during the annual gathering of Thomson Reuters customers in Nevada, the release adds.

Ford-Coates has served for 40 years in county government, 30 of them as the Sarasota County tax collector, “and is leading efforts to eliminate duplications which will make the taxpaying process more efficient,” the release notes.

Ford-Coates thanked her Tax Collector’s Office “family,” the release continues, “including staff who answer the phones, help customers at the counter, process the mail, account for the deposits, keep the computers running and all the members of the management team. This award would not be possible without their dedication to our customers and one another.”

“The winners of the Public Sector Champion Awards have used technology and effective strategies to provide the most comprehensive, and citizen-friendly service,” said Joe Jackson, managing director for the tax and accounting business of Thomson Reuters, in the release.

To learn more information about Public Sector Champion Awards, visit tax.thomsonreuters.com/publicsectorchamps

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