AND WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND IN JUST A BIT. >> NEW DOCUMENTS OBTAINED BY GULF COAST NEWS REVEAL GOVERNOR DESANTIS WAS PREPARED TO SPEND MORE THAN A BILLION OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS. THE FUN. THE CONTROVERSIAL ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ. MANY OF THE DOCUMENTS SHOW FLORIDA TAXPAYERS COULD BE LEFT FOOTING THE ENTIRE BILL FOR THE FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER. GOOD EVENING. I’M PETER BUSCH AND I’M KELLIE BURNS TONIGHT, GULF COAST NEWS CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER DAVE ELIAS. >> IS FINDING OUT HOW MUCH THE DETENTION CENTER IN COLLIER COUNTY, WE’LL END UP COSTING ALL OF US. >> THIS FEMA APPLICATION SHOWS THAT THE STATE REQUESTED NEARLY 1.5 BILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD IN FUND ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ. HOWEVER, WE HAVE NEVER BEEN PAID BACK FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. SO THAT MEANS THAT YOU’RE PAYING. AND HERE’S HOW MUCH THAT’S GOING TO TOTAL 4.11 MILLION DOLLARS EACH DAY OR $171,000 AN HOUR. LET ME BREAK IT DOWN EVEN FURTHER. WE’RE TALKING OVER $2800 A MINUTE OR OVER. 47 $1 FOR EACH SECOND AROUND THE CLOCK FOR A FULL YEAR. I THINK IT’S RIDICULOUS. AND I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE AMERICA SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY A SINGLE DIME. >> FOR THIS STATE DOCUMENTS SHOW TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING MILLIONS, INCLUDING 92 MILLION JUST FOR PORTER. JOHN’S TO A COMPANY CALLED DUTY CALLS AND NEARLY 40,000 SPENT ON CLOTHING AND BEDDING. AND THE TAXPAYERS NOW STRUGGLING WITH THOSE COSTS. I AGREE WITH. >> AND A PLACE LIKE ALLIGATOR BUT I DON’T THINK IT SHOULD COST TO TAXPAYERS AS MUCH AS ON JULY 4TH, ALONG THE FACILITY SPENT NEARLY 6 MILLION DOLLARS IN OPERATING COSTS AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY. WE HAVE TO REEL IN THE GOVERNOR BECAUSE HIS BEHAVIOR. >> IS JUST IRRESPONSIBLE AND THE MONEY THAT HE HAS WASTED ON THIS POLITICAL ENDEAVOR COULD BE SPENT ON THINGS LIKE TEACHER PAY AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEMOCRATS LIKE AN ESKIMO KNEE, CALLING THE SPENDING WASTEFUL. IT’S TIME THAT WE CLOSE SHOP AND BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATE AS THEY WILL BUT NOT PICK UP THE TAB FOR THIS OPERATION AS ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ CONTINUES TO OPERATE BY THE DEPARTMENT’S OWN ESTIMATES COSTING MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS A DAY. NOW, I SHOULD POINT OUT THAT I DID REACH OUT TO OUR REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS LOCALLY TO GET THEIR REACTION TO TH
Florida taxpayers face billion-dollar bill for Alligator Alcatraz
Updated: 7:25 PM EST Mar 4, 2026
New documents obtained by Gulf Coast News reveal that Gov. Ron DeSantis was prepared to spend more than a billion dollars of taxpayer money to fund the controversial federal detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz, leaving Florida taxpayers to foot the bill.The state requested almost $1.5 billion through a FEMA application to build and fund Alligator Alcatraz, but it has not been reimbursed, meaning taxpayers are currently paying $4.11 million each day, $171,233 an hour, $2,854 each minute, and $47.57 each second, around the clock for a full year.Chaz Jarvis expressed his frustration, saying, “I think it’s ridiculous. I think that the people of America should not have to pay a single dime for this.”State documents show taxpayers are paying millions, including $92 million for porta-johns to a company called “Doodie Calls” and nearly $40,000 spent on clothing and bedding. Many taxpayers are struggling with the costs. Sandy Wray from Fort Myers said, “I agree with having a place like Alligator Alley, but I don’t think it should cost the taxpayers as much as they’re charging us.”On July 4 alone, the facility spent nearly $6 million in operating costs. Democrats like Anna Eskamani are calling the spending wasteful. “As a legislative body, we have to reel in the governor because of the money he has wasted on this political endeavor could be spent on teacher pay or affordable housing,” Eskamani said. She added, “It’s time we close shop and let the federal government operate as they will and not pick up the tab for this operation.”The facility continues to operate, costing more than a million dollars a day, according to the department’s own estimates. Local Republican lawmakers have not commented on the issue.Documents can be reviewed here. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —
New documents obtained by Gulf Coast News reveal that Gov. Ron DeSantis was prepared to spend more than a billion dollars of taxpayer money to fund the controversial federal detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz, leaving Florida taxpayers to foot the bill.
The state requested almost $1.5 billion through a FEMA application to build and fund Alligator Alcatraz, but it has not been reimbursed, meaning taxpayers are currently paying $4.11 million each day, $171,233 an hour, $2,854 each minute, and $47.57 each second, around the clock for a full year.
Chaz Jarvis expressed his frustration, saying, “I think it’s ridiculous. I think that the people of America should not have to pay a single dime for this.”
State documents show taxpayers are paying millions, including $92 million for porta-johns to a company called “Doodie Calls” and nearly $40,000 spent on clothing and bedding. Many taxpayers are struggling with the costs.
Sandy Wray from Fort Myers said, “I agree with having a place like Alligator Alley, but I don’t think it should cost the taxpayers as much as they’re charging us.”
On July 4 alone, the facility spent nearly $6 million in operating costs. Democrats like Anna Eskamani are calling the spending wasteful.
“As a legislative body, we have to reel in the governor because of the money he has wasted on this political endeavor could be spent on teacher pay or affordable housing,” Eskamani said. She added, “It’s time we close shop and let the federal government operate as they will and not pick up the tab for this operation.”
The facility continues to operate, costing more than a million dollars a day, according to the department’s own estimates. Local Republican lawmakers have not commented on the issue.
Documents can be reviewed here.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.