New Resident Guide · Monticello, Florida
Jefferson CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Jefferson County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Monticello and the rest of the county — power, water, trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and your zoned schools. The county has no piped natural gas (homes use propane). Print it and keep it on the fridge.
Step 1
County Offices
The government offices every new homeowner needs — for your homestead exemption, taxes, license plates, schools, and voter registration.
Property Appraiser
Jefferson County Property Appraiser
File your homestead exemption (deadline March 1), check your assessed value, and look up property records. Filing homestead is the most valuable thing a new Florida homeowner can do.
Tax Collector
Jefferson County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services. New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Jefferson County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Jefferson County School District
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Jefferson County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Jefferson County Building Department
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Jefferson County.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports. For emergencies, always call 911.
Step 2
Set Up Your Utilities
Call ahead of your move-in date so the power and water are on when you arrive. Electric and water depend on your exact address — see the note under each.
Electric
In-town is Duke; rural is the TCEC co-op. The City of Monticello does NOT sell electric.
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: The City of Monticello and the largest share of the county.
Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC)
Serves: Rural/unincorporated Jefferson County.
Water & Sewer
Inside Monticello, the city; outside, most homes use a private well and septic.
City of Monticello Utilities
Serves: Inside Monticello city limits (water & sewer).
Trash & Recycling
Rural areas use staffed county convenience centers; Monticello bills sanitation on the city account.
Jefferson County Solid Waste
Serves: Countywide drop-off/convenience centers.
City of Monticello Sanitation
Serves: In-city curbside (on the city utility bill).
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Conexon Connect (fiber)
Serves: Rural fiber buildout via the Tri-County co-op.
Not sure who serves your exact address?
Electric, water, and trash can change street by street. The fastest ways to confirm: check the seller's most recent utility bill, ask your closing agent or title company, or call the city utility office for the city your home is in. If your home is in an unincorporated area, it's handled by the county. Your MaxLife agent is happy to help you pin this down before closing.
Jefferson County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Jefferson County, FL?
In-town (the City of Monticello) is Duke Energy; rural/unincorporated areas are the Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC). Note the City of Monticello does NOT sell electric — its municipal utility is water/sewer/trash only. Confirm by address.
How do I set up water service in Jefferson County?
Inside Monticello, the city provides water and sewer at (850) 342-0292. Outside city limits, most homes use a private well and septic.
Is there natural gas in Jefferson County?
No — there's no piped natural-gas utility serving Monticello/Jefferson. Homes use bottled/delivered propane (LP) or are all-electric, so a 'gas range/heat' listing means propane.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Jefferson County?
The Jefferson County Tax Collector (jeffersontc.com, (850) 342-0147) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses. New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days.
How do I register to vote in Jefferson County?
Register or update your address through the Jefferson County Supervisor of Elections at jeffersonvotes.com or (850) 997-3348. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Jefferson County contact sheet as a clean one-pager — perfect to keep on the fridge or hand to a client at closing.
Buying or selling in Jefferson County? Talk to Ryan Solberg at MaxLife Realty.
Contact details verified June 2026against each agency's and provider's official website. Government offices and utilities occasionally change phone numbers, websites, and service areas — please confirm before relying on a number for a deadline or time-sensitive matter. MaxLife Realty is not affiliated with any office or utility listed here. For emergencies, call 911.