New DEP Branch Office Will Provide Better Customer Service
In response to the growing need for environmental services throughout the DEP’s South District
region, the Department recently opened a new branch office in Sebring. When fully staffed, the office
will consist of eight staff members. The new branch office will provide permitting and compliance
services for activities in Highlands, Hendry and Glades counties.
“These counties are an expanding part of DEP’s South District and we are excited to be able to offer
this population a local office,” said South District Director Jon Iglehart. “This cost-saving measure
will assure better protection for the local environment and both Florida’s citizens and visitors.”
Prior to establishing the Sebring office, staff with DEP’s South District office made in excess of
180 trips annually to the tri-county area, inspecting over 250 sites and facilities. Conservative
estimates indicate that opening the Sebring branch office will save the Department more than 1,800
man hours and 31,000 miles of annual commuting. And by eliminating the traveling, more than 21 tons
of CO2 will be prevented from entering the atmosphere every year.
Since portions of the Sebring Branch service area are more than three hours away from the District
Headquarters, this local office will provide better public service by significantly reducing complaint
response times. In addition, inspectors will be able to frequent the facilities in the area more often,
providing improved customer service and better regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship.
Remaining steadfast in our commitment to customer service, DEP recently launched an online customer
satisfaction survey giving citizens an opportunity to rate their level of satisfaction with Department
services and information. The survey, found on
DEP’s home page, is designed to help DEP gauge how
effectively it is answering citizens’ needs, and identify areas where it can improve the level and
quality of services it provides.
In addition, DEP has created an Open Government web page, dedicated to defining Open Government,
outlining the functions of the Office of the Ombudsman and Public Services, and providing detailed
instructions and information for making a public records request. The webpage also provides the
visitor with 10 frequently asked questions and links to the public information contacts in each
district as well as to the Open Government contact.
DEP’s Sebring office is located at: 2812 Kenilworth Blvd., Sebring Fl 33870, Phone: 863.314.5975;
Fax: 863.314.5978.
