TAMPA -- Dale Hoffman, director of branch operations for Hillsborough County Tax Collector Doug Belden, has applied to lead the state agency that doles out drivers' licenses and its 4,000 employees.

Hoffman, 40, a political independent, has applied for consideration to replace Electra Bustle as executive director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Bustle is expected to depart by the end of the month.

Hoffman oversees the seven branch offices of the tax collector, their 175 employees and a roughly $11.5 million budget. He was part of Belden's senior management team that helped the agency win the Governor's Sterling Award in 2008, which is handed out to businesses and governments that demonstrate superior productivity, performance and customer service.

In addition to collecting taxes, county tax collectors also issue drivers' licenses, vehicle registrations and hunting and fishing licenses, among other services. Hoffman, a graduate of Florida State University, has worked for the office since 1993.

"I would hope to provide a fresh perspective from the county -- or the front-line level -- to the department," he said.

-- Bill Varian, Times staff writer