This week, two Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) research teams arrived in Broward County and Gainesville, and began a detailed audit of local government spending as part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s continued promotion of transparency and financial accountability.
The deployment follows the creation of Governor Desantis’ Doge in February, with the aim of identifying waste and inefficiencies at all levels of government. The team includes officials from the Ministry of Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue, Department of Transport, Department of Commerce and Department of Education.
“Florida is a model of financial liability at the state level and leverages its power to ensure local governments comply with the lawsuit,” Desantis said in a statement. “Florida’s doge efforts are mandatory for taxpayers and another way their nation pursues financial responsibility.”
State officials say Broward County’s budget has swelled to more than $1.2 billion over the past five years, despite the population being less than 5%. That growth includes more than $450 million in additional advertising Vlorem taxes currently being charged on property owners.
In Gainesville, officials say the city is projected to spend at least $90 million each year than it was four years ago. Property owners are expected to pay 85% of their taxes compared to 2020 due to increased tax increases and increased tax cuts and increased asset value rises that are not met.
“We are in a new era of transparency and accountability in Florida,” said Chief Financial Officer Blaze Ingoglier. “For years, I have called for local spending, which taxpayers often don’t support, if they know the perfect story. Through the Doge initiative, we open books, demand answers, and regain our financial sanity.”
In addition to current visits, letters of intent have been sent to Hillsboro, Pinellas, Orange County, and the city of Jacksonville, warning of future on-site reviews.
State officials say efforts are built into a broader record of fiscal policy under DeSantis, including paying off almost half of Florida’s historic tax-promoting debt and achieving consecutive annual spending cuts. The state also fully funds rainy day reserves.
