ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Members of Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency have started audits in St. Pete, but not without objection.
It is the latest round of reviews that has been happening around the state.
Protesters began gathering outside City Hall on Wednesday, saying it should be people living in the city that should decide how the city spends its tax dollars, and not government officials in Tallahassee.
What You Need To Know
Protesters began gathering outside City Hall on Wednesday, upset with a DOGE audit by the state
They said the state should be focused on homeowners insurance, among other things; Council member calls the audit an overreach
State CFO defends audit, saying he is “on delivering property tax relief to the state of Florida”
DOGE hopes to have a report ready for the public in 60 days
Instead, they want the state to fix the homeowners insurance problem, find solutions to the housing shortage and better prepare Florida for hurricanes.
More than a dozen protesters showed up, calling the DOGE effort performance politics.
“We don’t want the state government coming into the city to governments and telling them how to spend their budget money,” said Greg Smith. “Let the local people decide what we want to do with fertilizer, what we want to do with development.”
Another protester, Sharon Friedman, said: “I really wanted to come out and draw attention to all the things that DOGE is doing and how, really, it’s not really helping us. If anything, it’s just causing a lot more chaos and a lot more trouble.”
St. Petersburg City Council member Brandi Gabbard said government efficiency is important, saying that through the budgetary process, the city has been as efficient as possible with taxpayer dollars.
She called the DOGE visit an overreach.
“I think that it tramples on home rule,” Gabbard said. “And I think that more than anything, putting our employees in the crosshairs gives me great concern.”
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is heading up the DOGE audit team. He faced off against protesters during a press conference inside City Hall. He said the basis for the DOGE audit across the state is skyrocketing property taxes.
“You guys can talk as long and loud as you want. I am hell bent on delivering property tax relief to the state of Florida,” Ingoglia said. “Once we start going through the data, we’re going to start identifying some of the things that are probably not a good use of taxpayer dollars.”
Shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday, Mayor Ken Welch called the DOGE visit a “successful first day.” A second day of DOGE audits will happen Thursday.
“As stated when we first received the request, the City is complying with all DOGE requests and will provide any additional information or clarification as needed,” Welch said. “As we continue through this process, our main priority remains inclusive progress for our city, based on our shared values, and moving forward with clarity, purpose and integrity.”
DOGE hopes to have a report ready for the public in 60 days.