2024 Indian River County tax collector choice: Incumbent Jordan, candidate Bradley

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY - The 2024 tax collector race features an incumbent seeking a fifth term on what she says are the accomplishments of a 16-year record, challenged by an opponent seeking a change in the office for its employees and taxpayers.

Incumbent Carole Jean Jordan has served four consecutive terms as tax collector since 2008. With a background in banking, her opponent Brenda Bradley worked for the tax collector’s office from 2002 to 2016, ultimately becoming Jordan's chief of staff.

Jordan has a vast political background with the Republican party at state and federal levels following her time overseeing a family business.

Bradley ran against Jordan in 2020. Both are registered Republicans and because they are the only candidates competing, the winner will be chosen in the Aug. 20 primary.

According to a 2020 TCPalm report, in 2008 Jordan finished second to state Rep. Stan Mayfield for tax collector, but when he died that year the Indian River County Republican Committee chose her as the replacement.

She was elected in 2012 and in 2016 she was unopposed.

Jordan leans on what she said is a “proven track record of success in providing sterling service” and said the biggest issue the county faces is handling growth.

“It is absolutely critical we continue to operate as one of the most fiscally responsible tax collector offices in Florida; while maintaining the sterling customer care Indian River County residents expect and deserve,” said Jordan via email.

She said a continued population growth means greater demand on the office for services such as drivers’ licenses, Transportation Security Administration Precheck, concealed carry permits, and much, much more.

“My team has taken on drastically increased responsibilities and local services passed by the Florida Legislature since I took office,” she said. “While no one can predict the future, based on the past, it is likely more responsibility and local services will come our way.”

Bradley said the operation of the tax collector’s office is her priority and listed three issues she said the office faces:

Excessive employee turnover, unfair salaries that do not match experience, and wasteful spending for wants, not needs.

“The Tax Collector’s office is an administrative, fee-based office with no local oversight,” said Bradley via email. “…The only function of the tax collector is to collect taxes, process them, and return the excess fees to the county, state, and districts.”

She said salary disparities between clerks and administration drove high turnover and said the political branding of the incumbent and a beachside office all led to tens of thousands of dollars of “taxpayer money wasted.”

“Salaries are unfair and do not match experience,” Bradley said. “Management/Senior management salaries are obscene compared to front-line clerks and other hourly employees."

Jordan on the other hand said she was “proud” of her record on spending and budget management.

“…We have returned over $40 million to our county government to close funding gaps that provide critical services for Indian River’s seniors, children, and veterans,” said Jordan. “My team and I will continue to meet the demands of Indian River County’s tremendous growth … implementing, cost-effective solutions to continue providing excellent service.”

She said making “almost all” of the office’s services available online was an example of meeting changing demands.

“We make decisions for smart change based on data and results,” Jordan said.

Supervisor of elections records as of July 31 show Jordan with $61,310 in contributions and Bradley with $13,328 while their respective expenses were $35,712 and $12,704.

The office of tax collector is one of five constitutional offices in the county, meaning it has state rather than local oversight and is considered an independent agency as established within the state’s constitution to serve as a check and balance on governments.

More information about their achievements, qualifications and backgrounds can be found in their responses to a TCPalm candidate questionnaire.

Indian River County Tax Collector

Term: Four years

Salary: $156,325

Next steps: The winner in the Aug. 20 primary will take office Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Carole Jean Jordan, incumbent

Age: 80

Profession: Tax collector for Indian River County

Time in office: 16 years

Brenda Bradley

Age: 59

Profession: Radiology center administrator; former chief of staff of the Indian River County Tax Collector's office

Time in office: Second attempt at office

Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. Follow @coreyarwood on X, email corey.arwood@tcpalm.com or call 772-978-2246.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 2024: Tax collector incumbent seeks vote on record, candidate on change