Tallahassee, Florida — On July 31, 2025, two teams from the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) arrived in to Broward County and the City of Gainesville to closely analyze local government spending, with team members from the Department of Financial Services, Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce, and Department of Education.
Letters of intent to visit have been sent to Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Orange counties and the City of Jacksonville, to prepare for on-site visits from DOGE teams.
“Florida is the model for fiscal responsibility at the state level, and we will utilize our authority to ensure local governments to follow suit...,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.
According to a governor's office press release, "Over the last five years, the taxpayers of Broward County have watched as the county government has increased burdens on property owners to the annual tune of over $450 million dollars in additional ad valorem tax collections. This has been part of a spending spree that has seen Broward County’s annual operating budget expand by over $1.2 billion, during a time when the county’s population has grown by less than 5%.
This year, unless it cuts spending, the City of Gainesville will spend at least $90 million more than it did four years ago. This increase in spending is now levied in part on Gainesville property owners, who are expected to pay 85% more in property taxes than what they paid in 2020. This is due to both a rate increase and to rising property values that should be, but have not been, offset by a corresponding cut in taxes. As a result, Gainesville’s taxpayers are carrying an additional $90 million burden each year. "
"We're ushering in a new era of transparency and accountability in Florida, said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. For years, I've called out reckless local spending, often on things taxpayers would never support if they knew the full story. As local budgets grow, we must ask whether these increases are truly justified. Too often, we see spending far outpacing what Floridians can actually afford. I'm focused on making life more affordable—especially when it comes to housing, insurance, and taxes—and that starts with right-sizing government..."
Governor Ron DeSantis created the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) through Executive Order 25-44 in February 2025, according to a p;ress release, " To ensure government efficiency, transparency, and accountability at all levels of government, including state agencies, state colleges and universities, and local governments."
For updates on the Florida DOGE initiative, visit @DOGEfla on X.
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