After 31 years working in the Monroe County Tax Collector’s office — 20 of them as tax collector — Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez is retiring and leaving the office in the capable hands of her loyal and dedicated staff.
Her last day of work was Aug. 21, when the office staff was preparing for a possible brush from Tropical Storm Laura that had strengthened into a dangerous Category 3 hurricane by the morning of Aug. 26. The Florida Keys experienced minimal impacts from the tropical storm.
Sam Steele, a four-year employee of the county tax office, is running unopposed for the tax collector position and will begin his term in January 2021 unless the governor appoints him to take over in the interim, Henriquez told Keys Weekly on her last day.
If the governor doesn’t appoint Steele for the interim, assistant tax collector Angela Hitchcock will manage the office until January, Henriquez said.
“She’ll run it as it’s been run for the past 51 years, since Harry Knight was tax collector, like a well-oiled machine,” Henriquez said. When asked what’s next for her, she said she’s “had some people mention some offers and opportunities.”
“You’ll hear about whatever happens. But for now I’m going to spend time with my 4-month-old granddaughter in Orlando and enjoy my free time doing landscaping and other projects in my yard at home.”
Keys Weekly wishes Henriquez the best in her retirement.
