Florida CFO says Palm Beach County overspending by $344 million

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said during a press conference in West Palm Beach today that an audit conducted by his office discovered that Palm Beach County overspent by $344 million last year, the highest amount of overspending in the state.Ingoglia’s office has examined the budgets of 11 cities and counties across Florida, uncovering $1.9 billion in excessive spending.”All I am going to tell you guys is I am watching. I am watching you guys. Hopefully you guys will understand that this number can not stand and we are aware of this number,” Ingoglia said. “Local government, politicians and bureaucrats need to stop listening to the people inside the halls of government and start listening to the people on the grocery lines, because that’s where people are complaining.”Following Ingoglia’s press conference, a spokesperson for Palm Beach County released the following statement:”Palm Beach County has lowered the millage rate twice in the last four years, returning more than $284.8 million in tax relief to residents. During that same period, property tax revenue increased largely because of growth in the tax base, not because of higher tax rates. From FY 2019 to FY 2026, total property tax revenue increased by $645 million. More than $420 million of that increase was required to fund the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, a constitutionally independent agency whose budget the County is obligated to support. The remaining growth was distributed across more than 30 departments that provide essential county services. When adjusted for population growth, mandated public safety costs, and inflation, county departmental spending has remained below inflationary trends while still meeting service demands.The state’s calculation of ‘wasteful spending’ relies on using FY 2019–2020 as a baseline year. That year preceded the pandemic, the surge in population, and the significant rise in operational costs faced by all Florida local governments. Using that year as a fixed benchmark does not reflect the actual costs of providing public safety, infrastructure, and essential services in one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.Since taking office, County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo has already implemented new cost-saving efficiencies, including a new data-driven budgeting process; partnering with OpenGov to improve operational efficiency and transparency; shifting to merit-based compensation to better control personnel costs; and providing the Board of County Commissioners with long-term budget scenarios to strengthen fiscal planning. We continue to work collaboratively with the Florida CFO’s Office and DOGE, and remain committed to delivering the most efficient and effective government possible while maintaining the essential services our residents expect.”

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said during a press conference in West Palm Beach today that an audit conducted by his office discovered that Palm Beach County overspent by $344 million last year, the highest amount of overspending in the state.

Ingoglia’s office has examined the budgets of 11 cities and counties across Florida, uncovering $1.9 billion in excessive spending.

“All I am going to tell you guys is I am watching. I am watching you guys. Hopefully you guys will understand that this number can not stand and we are aware of this number,” Ingoglia said. “Local government, politicians and bureaucrats need to stop listening to the people inside the halls of government and start listening to the people on the grocery lines, because that’s where people are complaining.”

Following Ingoglia’s press conference, a spokesperson for Palm Beach County released the following statement:

“Palm Beach County has lowered the millage rate twice in the last four years, returning more than $284.8 million in tax relief to residents. During that same period, property tax revenue increased largely because of growth in the tax base, not because of higher tax rates. From FY 2019 to FY 2026, total property tax revenue increased by $645 million. More than $420 million of that increase was required to fund the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, a constitutionally independent agency whose budget the County is obligated to support. The remaining growth was distributed across more than 30 departments that provide essential county services. When adjusted for population growth, mandated public safety costs, and inflation, county departmental spending has remained below inflationary trends while still meeting service demands.

The state’s calculation of ‘wasteful spending’ relies on using FY 2019–2020 as a baseline year. That year preceded the pandemic, the surge in population, and the significant rise in operational costs faced by all Florida local governments. Using that year as a fixed benchmark does not reflect the actual costs of providing public safety, infrastructure, and essential services in one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.

Since taking office, County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo has already implemented new cost-saving efficiencies, including a new data-driven budgeting process; partnering with OpenGov to improve operational efficiency and transparency; shifting to merit-based compensation to better control personnel costs; and providing the Board of County Commissioners with long-term budget scenarios to strengthen fiscal planning. We continue to work collaboratively with the Florida CFO’s Office and DOGE, and remain committed to delivering the most efficient and effective government possible while maintaining the essential services our residents expect.”