TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and newly appointed chief financial officer Blaze Ingoglia are aiming to become local government and are blaming counties and cities across the state for reckless and overexpenditure.
On Monday, the Florida CFO said he wasted time stepping into his new role. Shortly after being sworn in, Ingoglia was already calling on cities and counties to explain their spending habits.
“When it comes to fiscal spending, Florida has a new era of accountability,” Ingoglia said.
“We have authority. This is no longer an option. We don’t have to ask our mothers. We can simply say you have to follow the law,” DeSantis said.
Reviews include on-site inspections, data system pulls, and daily fines for cities and counties that refuse to comply.
“We need to start asking local governments. Where are we spend this money? And let people know what they’re spending,” Ingoglia said. “Then let people decide that this is worth it.”
Ingoglia emphasized to the audience at a Gainesville press conference that they live in a city they believe are one of the worst criminals for reckless spending.
8 Your side reached out to Mayor Harvey Ward. Mayor Harvey Ward shared his opposition, saying Gainesville is already cutting debt, staff and expanding its financial reserves.
“We are absolutely here to support state law, federal law.” We are not a business that tries to circumvent the law. We have a business that provides great service to our neighbors here in Gainesville,” Ward said.
Ward also provided a statement. “I received a request from Florida Doge yesterday evening. The city of Gainesville is a published book, and as mayor, I support the efficiency and resilience of the city’s government. Furthermore, I hope that our city’s credit ratings will continue to be under similar scrutiny for other ‘blue’ cities and counties.
But the governor said this wasn’t political and that it started in the cities where state leaders just have the most complaints.
DeSantis warned that Tampa Bay cities and counties will include the next few cities and counties in the next few weeks.
