TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s chief financial officer is ramping up scrutiny of local government spending through the state’s Department of Governmental Efficiency, targeting what he calls bloated budgets in major cities and hinting at broader reviews that could lead to property tax cuts.
Blaise Ingoglia, the Republican CFO, held news conferences this week in Orange County and Jacksonville, where he accused officials of overspending taxpayer dollars by hundreds of millions over recent years. In Orange County, Ingoglia claimed residents were overtaxed by more than $190 million from 2019-2020 to 2024-2025, after adjustments for inflation and population growth. A similar analysis pegged Jacksonville’s excess at nearly $200 million.
The efforts stem from Florida DOGE, a task force launched by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year to root out waste in state and local operations, inspired by the federal initiative of the same name. Ingoglia displayed large placards during the events to highlight the figures, criticizing Democratic mayors in both areas for fiscal mismanagement.
“He doesn’t know how to read his own damn budget,” Ingoglia said of Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, adding that the spending issues should disqualify Demings from a potential run for governor. Of Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, he said her budget “is on steroids.”
Demings, a Democrat who has hinted at a 2026 gubernatorial bid, pushed back, urging Ingoglia to focus on state finances instead. “Get his own house in order first,” Demings said. Deegan defended her city’s spending, noting its unique consolidated government structure and calling Ingoglia’s critique short on details.
Florida DOGE plans to release detailed reports on specific wasteful expenditures in the coming weeks, according to Ingoglia. He said the findings would show the need for reductions across government levels. The push aligns with DeSantis’ goal of placing a property tax-cutting amendment on the 2026 ballot, which backers hope will resonate with voters frustrated by rising costs.
Local leaders in other areas, including Palm Beach County, have voiced concerns about the approach. Commissioner Maria Sachs, a former state lawmaker, called for collaboration rather than confrontation, emphasizing local control. “Control needs to be with the government that’s closest to the people,” she said. Fellow Commissioner Marci Woodward noted that addressing alleged overspending would require tough choices, such as job cuts or service reductions.
Ingoglia has not specified future stops, but observers speculate South Florida communities or other urban centers could be next as the DOGE team expands its audits. The initiative has already drawn subpoenas for 16 Orange County employees accused of obstructing a related audit last month.
DeSantis announced the Florida DOGE task force in February, tasking it with modernizing state government and uncovering hidden waste in agencies and universities. Supporters credit the effort with influencing recent tax-rate cuts in some areas, though critics argue it politicizes local budgeting.
