State appointees will soon scrutinize the City of St. Petersburg\u2019s budget and nearly every other aspect of local government.<\/p>\n
The Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has selected the city for further review and on-site inspections. A letter obtained by the Catalyst notes that the agency will access \u201cphysical premises, data systems and responsive personnel\u201d Aug. 13 and 14.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The letter, dated Aug. 1 and addressed to Mayor Ken Welch, begins by admonishing the city for alleged financial mismanagement. It states that property owners have seen their tax \u201cburden\u201d increase by over 75%, more than $95 million, since 2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough the city has lowered its millage rate during this time period, collections have increased at a far faster pace,\u201d a DOGE representative wrote. \u201cThese property tax collections have helped pay for a rapidly growing general fund budget: Nearly $130 million in growth, almost 50%, in that same period.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
St. Petersburg\u2019s letter mirrors correspondence sent to Pinellas County officials<\/a> July 28. However, the city is often at odds with the state due to its support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and green energy initiatives.\u00a0<\/p>\n Eric Soskin, senior advisor to the governor and DOGE team lead; Blaise Ingoglia, the state\u2019s chief financial officer; and Leda Kelly, director of the Office of Policy and Budget, signed the latest local mandate. Gov. Ron DeSantis designed the agency, announced in February, to mirror the federal version and \u201celiminate waste,\u201d \u201csave taxpayers money\u201d and \u201censure accountability.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe have received a follow-up letter from the State Division of Governmental Oversight and Efficiency and are reviewing carefully,\u201d Welch said in a prepared statement. \u201cThe City of St. Petersburg will fully cooperate, providing any additional information or clarification as requested.<\/p>\n \u201cMy administration\u2019s Principles for Accountable and Responsible Government continue to guide our work.\u201d<\/p>\n The letter states that citizens expect elected officials to spend their tax dollars responsibly rather than recklessly, \u201cand on truly necessary programs.\u201d St. Petersburg could face financial penalties for not providing adequate access to information, city offices and other locations \u201cyou identify as necessary to comply with these requests.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The city\u2019s millage rate will remain unchanged<\/a> after five years of annual reductions. St. Petersburg\u2019s property tax base increased by 4.93% during the current fiscal year; however, that is less than half of the 10.43% spike seen in 2024.<\/p>\n DeSantis, much to the dismay of local leaders, has pushed to eliminate property taxes<\/a>. Those revenues account for 73% of St. Petersburg\u2019s general fund, and most of that money supports public safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n Some of that money also supports DEI-related initiatives and events, like the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and St. Pete Pride parades. Those efforts are sure to come under state scrutiny.\u00a0<\/p>\n