Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and newly appointed Chief Monetary Officer Blaise Ingoglia introduced Tuesday that state auditors will start a proper evaluation of Broward County’s funds, alleging misuse of taxpayer {dollars}.
– Commercial –
The audit, led by Florida’s Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE), will start July 31 and embody onsite inspections and knowledge evaluations by groups from varied state businesses. Broward County is likely one of the native governments chosen for the audit, together with Gainesville. Officers warned that jurisdictions discovered non-compliant might face penalties of not less than $1,000 per day.
“Broward County, sadly, might be, in my thoughts, one of many worst offenders with regards to spending,” mentioned Ingoglia, throughout a press convention in Fort Lauderdale.
DeSantis echoed the criticism, stating, “We’re right here in Broward County, and I feel most individuals know there’s some criticism of how the county authorities has operated. I feel over the past 5 years, taxpayers right here in Broward watched their county authorities enhance property tax burdens by the tune of $450 million.”
He mentioned the rise was “near 50% within the final 5 years,” and argued that the county’s lack of considerable inhabitants progress made such spending ranges extreme.
“We don’t should ask, ‘Mom, might I?’ we will simply merely say you have to comply below the regulation,” DeSantis added, referencing the state’s authority to demand cooperation from native governments.
A letter despatched Monday to Broward Mayor Beam Furr requested entry to the county’s premises, knowledge techniques, and personnel on July 31 and August 1. The letter additionally outlined an inventory of particular requests, together with paperwork associated to county contracts, worker payroll, property administration, variety, fairness and inclusion (DEI) efforts, and the 2025 Broward County Local weather Change Motion Plan.
Whereas DeSantis and Ingoglia leveled broad claims towards the county, they offered few particular examples of alleged overspending past normal references to “taxpayers.”
Broward County officers pushed again. Mayor Beam Furr, talking in Could on “This Week in South Florida,” mentioned he had anticipated the transfer and rejected the governor’s claims. “The allegations merely aren’t true,” he mentioned.
County Commissioner Steve Geller was extra pointed in his criticism. “He’s going after two giant Democratic counties. I’m positive that’s solely a coincidence, as a result of what different purpose might there be,” Geller mentioned.
Geller additionally argued the state’s math is flawed, saying tax charges are calculated utilizing extensively accepted formulation and are in keeping with native wants.
