Tax Collector Neal Dixon Retiring

Neal Dixon, Tax Collector for Mecklenburg County, will be retiring at the end of July. After serving the County for nearly 30 years, Neal has been an invaluable part of countless projects and will leave an enduring legacy.  

“Not many people commit to being someone others look up to and admire,” one Tax Collections staff member wrote about Neal. “His commitment was shown in the lives of so many employees and to the public we serve. I admire the person he is, the job he’s done for Mecklenburg County, and the support he has given me.”

Neal began as a tax collections supervisor for the County in 1995 after previously working as a mortgage loan servicing manager and a mortgage loan officer. He then worked as Director of Revenue Collections for five years before beginning his first appointment as tax collector in July 2001.  

Neal has been locally and nationally recognized several times throughout his career. Not only has he won 14 department achievement awards, Neal also received the North Carolina Tax Collectors Association (NCTCA) Tax Collector of the Year award in 2011 and the esteemed NCTCA William Campbell Award in 2024.  

One staff member recalled, “Neal is not only a great leader, but also a great human being. He is so down to earth, and his door is always open.” Neal is highly respected by his peers and fellow County staff for his dedication and wisdom.

After working with four different County managers, five different assessors, and eight different finance directors, Neal has seen it all. He’s supported the economy over the course of three recessions. He’s served on committees for several organizations, including the North Carolina Tax Collectors Association, National Bureau of Business Licensing Officials, and the International Association of Assessing Officers.

His legacy of leadership and commitment to the County will be remembered for years to come. Staff members said they’ll miss talking to him about TV shows and hearing his dad jokes. Neal is excited to spend his retirement with is family. He looks forward to traveling to national parks and landmarks, as well as visiting countries in Europe and Asia. He plans to bicycle, read, and golf as much as he can to make the most of his time!

We wish Neal a fulfilling retirement!