TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced Tuesday that in-person audits of local governments are officially underway—starting with Broward County and Gainesville—as part of a new state push to uncover what officials call "wasteful spending."
“This is no longer optional,” said DeSantis during a visit to Broward County. “We have the authority. We don't have to ask 'Mother, may I,' we can just simply say you must comply under the law.”
The effort is part of newly enacted rules under Florida's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at increasing transparency in how local governments use taxpayer dollars. The state is demanding seven pages of data from targeted municipalities, ranging from compensation and contracts to spending on climate programs and DEI initiatives.
Cities that fail to comply could face financial penalties.
“So we look at where local budgets were right after COVID to where they are right now. Their budgets have exploded,” said Blaise Ingoglia (R), Florida’s recently appointed Chief Financial Officer and a key figure behind the audits.
Ingoglia emphasized that while the state can’t force local changes directly, the findings could drive public support for new fiscal policies or politicians.
“I don't think we'll have any authority to necessarily roll it back,” Ingoglia said. “But we will have the authority to get some property tax cuts on the ballot next year so [voters] can vote on a constitutional amendment. But the first thing that people need to know is that their local governments, if they are not spending their tax money wisely, have the ability to make change locally.”
Reactions Mixed Across Florida
More than 75 cities and counties have volunteered for self-audits, according to state officials. It was something the city of St. Petersburg seemed eager to do when the idea of municipal DOGE audits was first pitched in March.
“We're good with that,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch that month. “Local governments have to balance the budget every year. That’s not an option for us… It’s interesting when I see other governments bragging about balanced budgets. Well, that's what we do every day of the week.”
But not everyone is convinced the move is about fiscal responsibility. Critics—especially from left-leaning municipalities—see a political agenda behind the audits.
State
How Florida's DOGE team plans to use 'advanced technology'
“I think it's pure political theater,” said Connor Effrain, president of the University of Florida College Democrats. “If your goal really is fiscal responsibility, you'd focus on [Republican-led] areas, not Broward or Gainesville… It’s pretty clear DeSantis is targeting [us] because we don’t share the same political affiliation.”
Gainesville officials say the city has already taken meaningful steps to cut costs. In a statement, the mayor said local leaders had recently passed a debt reduction plan, cut more than 160 staff, and had increased its credit rating.
“Gainesville has already gone through an extensive DOGE-style process initiated by the Florida Legislature,” said Mayor Harvey Ward. “I expect other historically ‘blue’ cities and counties will undergo similar scrutiny.”
Broward County, meanwhile, said it is still reviewing the audit notice.
More Audits Coming
Gov. DeSantis said Tuesday’s announcement marks just the beginning. Ten to 15 additional cities and counties are expected to face similar in-person audits, with Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties reportedly among those next on the list.
As the audits unfold, the debate over whether this is a genuine push for accountability—or political maneuvering—continues to divide Florida’s leaders and residents.
READ LETTER TO BROWARD COUNTY:
