TRAVIS CO. COMMISSIONERS HIGHLIGHT TAX OFFICE AWARD
Nelda Wells Spears and Staff Cited by Leading Magazine For Making Public Services Accessible
(AUSTIN) — Travis County Commissioners today highlighted a prestigious international award given to Tax Collector Nelda Wells Spears and her staff for leading the way to improve local government by using the latest technology to guarantee Web accessibility for senior citizens and those with disabilities.
The 2007 award, established a decade ago and bestowed annually by Computerworld magazine in Framingham, Massacusetts, cites the Travis County Tax Office’s efforts to make it easier for citizens to register to vote, gather useful information for their businesses, and pay the taxes they owe.
“National statistics relate an ominous reality,” the award committee noted. “The coming generations will not be able replace the current working segment, leaving a gap for industry to fill. One answer rests in accessibility [and] addressing this would deliver both the people with disabilities and the aging worker as a resource…
“The Travis County Tax Office has met this reality head on. Their new Website addresses the accessibility issue. Citizens with vision impairments, including the growing maturing population, can easily personalize their Web experience to meet their vision needs [and] personalize the presentation of their information, including the ability to change font sizes and eliminate graphics.
“This solution is ahead of the curve, making a great statement as government leads the way, utilizing technology and meeting the needs of others.”
Computerworld’s case study is available here: http://www.cwhonors.org/viewCaseStudy.asp?NominationID=115
Spears’ office was nominated by IBM for this year’s award, which recognizes the creative use of technology to improve access for taxpayers and small businesses.
“Especially in Central Texas, we have a special obligation to make sure public services are flexible and accountable to the taxpayers who foot the bills,” Spears said. “Technology is helping us stay ahead of the demand.”
The Travis County Tax Collector is responsible for collecting property and vehicle taxes and serves as the county’s official voter registrar. In addition to the Computerworld Magazine award, Spears has won praise for her office’s 99 percent tax collection rate, the best in the state, and for a 94 percent voter registration rate, higher than any other major county in Texas.
Spears manages more than 130 employees who process 1.3 million tax and fee payments each year, collect over $2 billion in local taxes and fees, and actively register and protect the data of more than half-a-million voters.
Certified by the State Board of Tax Professional Examiners, Spears previously served as chief deputy to Tax Assessor-Collector Cecelia Burke and personnel director for State Comptroller Bob Bullock and Land Commissioner Garry Mauro.
