Florida DOGE Puts Boots on the Ground in Gainesville and Broward County
The Floridant/10312516

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ~ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - In an effort to ensure transparency and accountability in government, two teams from the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have arrived in Broward County and the City of Gainesville. This move comes as a fulfillment of Governor Ron DeSantis' promise to closely analyze local government spending.

The teams consist of members from various departments including the Department of Financial Services, Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce, and Department of Education. According to Governor DeSantis, Florida is a model for fiscal responsibility at the state level and it is important for local governments to follow suit.

"The taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent and we will use our authority to ensure that local governments are being responsible with their spending," said Governor DeSantis.

The focus on Broward County's spending comes after taxpayers have seen an increase in property taxes by over $450 million in the last five years. This has been accompanied by a significant expansion in the county's annual operating budget by over $1.2 billion, despite a population growth of less than 5%.

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Similarly, the City of Gainesville has also seen a significant increase in spending over the past four years. This year alone, they are expected to spend at least $90 million more than they did four years ago. This increase has resulted in property owners paying 85% more in property taxes compared to 2020. Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia expressed concern over this trend and emphasized the need for responsible spending.

"We're ushering in a new era of transparency and accountability in Florida," said CFO Ingoglia. "For years, I've called out reckless local spending that taxpayers would never support if they knew the full story."

In addition to Broward County and Gainesville, letters have been sent to Hillsborough, Pinellas, Orange counties as well as Jacksonville for potential on-site visits from DOGE teams.

The creation of the Florida DOGE initiative through Executive Order 25-44 in February 2025 by Governor DeSantis aims to ensure government efficiency, transparency, and accountability at all levels of government. This includes state agencies, state colleges and universities, and local governments.

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Governor DeSantis has been vocal about his commitment to fiscal responsibility and efficiency during his tenure. Under his leadership, Florida has paid down nearly 50% of the state's total historic tax-supported debt and has maxed-out the rainy-day fund. Additionally, the signing of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget marks the second consecutive year of a year-over-year reduction in state spending.

For updates on the Florida DOGE initiative, citizens can visit @DOGEfla on social media. As citizens entrust their governments with the power to tax, they have a right to expect responsible spending from their elected officials. With this initiative, Governor DeSantis is taking steps towards ensuring that taxpayers' money is being used efficiently and effectively.

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