Escambia County COVID-19 Update #20

Escambia County Tax Collector's Office
Scott Lunsford, Escambia County Tax Collector, is excited to announce the deadline for citizens and businesses to pay 2019 property taxes has been extended to April 15.

Many payment options are available:

• online by midnight CDT, April 15, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com
• mailed with an April 15, 2020 postmark
• left by midnight CDT, April 15 in a 24-hour drop box, currently available at Downtown, Marcus Pointe and Molino locations
• by joining the phone queue at EscambiaTaxCollector.com by close of business April 15.

Payments for current taxes can be made by eCheck with no extra fee, or with a credit or debit card (convenience fee will apply).

Over $20 million remains unpaid, representing approximately seven percent of the tax roll. Penalties of three percent for real estate taxes and one and one-half percent for tangible taxes will be assessed on April 16.

COVID-19 UPDATE: While our lobbies and call center are closed, our payment center is available at all times at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Customers are encouraged to pay online by eCheck where there is never an extra fee or by mail. At this time, our drive thru lanes are available for pick up of completed transactions only.

Taxpayers with specific questions can email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com or visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com and join the phone queue. Calls are returned in the order in they were received. Calls will be from a 438 County exchange or a 595 State exchange.

Our online services at EscambiaTaxCollector.com allow customers to check the status of property taxes, pay online, print a receipt, search records, renew vehicle and vessel registrations and many other services.

Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
As of 1 p.m., March 26, Escambia County has 19 positive COVID-19 cases. This number is expected to change daily due to the return of results from ongoing testing. For the most up-to-date information regarding confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida, visit the COVID-19 dashboard. The site is currently updated twice daily.

FDOH-Escambia is limiting public access to the Fairfield facility as a method of protecting the health of their clients and staff. Services will continue to be available for persons with appointments (or receiving the service). A parent or guardian may accompany a minor child if the child is receiving the service.

• To make a clinic appointment, call 850-595-6554.
• For WIC questions call 850-595-6670.
• For assistance with the steps outlined above may be obtained by calling the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County’s Coronavirus information line at 850-595-6500, option 6.

FloridaWest
The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce will continue to provide updates about programs and resources on their website pensacolachamber.com. There you can find pages with information about Business Resources, Employment Resources, Health Resources, and Community Resources.

• The Chamber will continue to send email updates every weekday which contain the latest business information related to COVID-19. If you are not on our email distribution list, please send your contact information to news@pensacolachamber.com to be added to the list.
• It is important that businesses plan now for assistance that will be coming.
• First, all local businesses are encouraged to fill out the Florida Emergency Business Damage Assessment Survey at floridadisaster.biz. This information will be very important to us as we work to identify and request potential state and federal funding.
• The Business Damage Assessment survey will be used to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin.
• Secondly, small businesses should apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program, a short-term loan designed to help business owners bridge the gap between the time of impact and when the business has secured long-term assistance. Go to Floridadisasterloan.org to review the eligibility requirements.
• Apply online and upload required supporting documentation or download an application.
• If you need assistance with small business disaster loans, The SBDC Business Disaster Recovery Team is assisting local businesses in navigating through the emergency loan process. Email them at sbdc@uwf.edu. Or visit https://sbdc.uwf.edu/

Pensacola State College

• All PSC campuses, centers, and buildings will remain closed to the general public through May 6, including the theatre, planetarium, pool, art gallery, gymnasium, dental clinic, testing center, fitness centers, and libraries. 
• All PSC events have been cancelled through May 6, such as the Lumberjack Festival, Lyceum Performances, and Art Exhibitions. 
• Personnel will continue to work remotely next week, March 30 through April 5, unless contacted by their supervisor to report to campus.
• Pensacola State College is transitioning face-to-face classes, including most labs and clinicals, and dual enrollment classes, to an online format beginning Monday, March 30. We continue to face many challenges as we navigate uncharted waters and there is much still to be done to prepare faculty and students for this transition. Nevertheless, I know the PSC family will rise to the occasion to maintain the quality of services and instruction our students deserve.
• Registration for summer classes will begin April 15 and fall registration begins June 1.
• If you need to speak with someone on campus, you may contact us by using Live Chat on the website at Pensacolastate.edu, email us at AskPSC@pensacolastate.edu, or call us at 850-484-2000, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. 
• Additional details in the form of FAQs are available on the PSC website at Pensacolastate.edu/COVID19. 
• Social distancing is extremely important. Be safe and stay healthy.