Sweet sounds on tax collector's voice mail

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It happens almost every time.

You pick up the phone to call a business or government office and you're stuck listening to a pre-recorded message.  But the Palm Beach County Tax Collector's office is trying to make your call a more pleasant listening experience.

Whether it's dealing with property taxes, or now renewing your driver's license,  nearly everyone deals with the tax collector's office at some point.  But the next time you call Palm Beach County Tax Collector, be prepared to hear something a little different.  It's a woman singing, "Hello, hello, hello." 

It sounds a bit like the Andrews sisters.

Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon says, "It's not the same traditional boring message."

Gannon said her office needed to try something new.  Surveys showed their customers biggest complaints were over phone service.

"That they waited too long on phone before they could get to the department or person they wanted to talk to," added Gannon.

So the phone maze has been reduced from a thick binder on her desk, to a one-page diagram as part of what the agency calls its "ungovernment experience." 

You might be pleasantly surprised to find out the tax collector's fancy new message didn't cost taxpayers one additional cent.  That's because of Darlene Spence.  The 25-year veteran of the office carries quite a tune.  She and a colleague were tasked with creating a new greeting, which they gave a Caribbean flair.

"I figure if I mix the singing with the talking, we'd still keep it professional... and fun," said Spence.

David Brady had been the voice of the office for decades.  He helped Spence produce the new track and holds no grudges.

"I don't feel displaced or anything. We're in an era of change and change is good," said Brady.