TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida DOGE continued to make its manner across the state with a cease in Manatee County Tuesday afternoon.
“We will spend about three or 4 days on website,” CFO Blaise Ingoglia stated. “We will take all the data again to Tallahassee. We will pore by this.”
Chief Monetary Officer Blaise Ingoglia stated the DOGE investigations persons are seeing statewide are pushed by property tax considerations. Nevertheless, critics argue it is only a distraction.
“In some unspecified time in the future, there’s going to be property tax reduction, whether or not it’s completed domestically by cities or counties or if it should be completed constitutionally by the poll,” Ingoglia stated.
The controversy surrounding property taxes has been a key participant this yr, and though it did not make the minimize this session, the governor and CFO proceed to push the problem on Floridians.
“I will let you know proper now a constitutional modification will likely be accepted by the voters at round 60-67%, so be proactive and minimize now,” Ingoglia stated.
State Democrats take concern with eliminating property taxes.
“If you happen to eradicate or severely decreased property taxes, you are going to have a giant hit,” stated State Rep. Lindasy Cross, D-St. Petersburg. “Individuals’s high quality of life goes to lower. Persons are going to be much less secure of their communities, and that is all as a result of, , the Republicans have failed to deal with the property insurance coverage disaster, which is the place Floridians are feeling the most important hit of their wallets.”
Ingoglia cautioned the general public that native authorities complaints relating to these conditions are inaccurate in his eyes.
“In the event that they’re doing what they’re presupposed to be doing, zero-based budgeting, the very very first thing that you simply finances for is hearth and police as a result of the primary function of presidency is protected residents, it doesn’t make any sense to chop these packages,” stated Ingoglia.
As Floridians witness DOGE efforts ramping up, town of St. Petersburg has been warned it is subsequent on the checklist.
In a letter to St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch, Florida DOGE needs entry to metropolis places, information methods, and personnel.
Mayor Welch shared an announcement with 8 On Your Aspect saying;
Now we have acquired a follow-up letter from the State Division of Governmental Oversight and Effectivity and are reviewing it fastidiously. The Metropolis of St. Petersburg will totally cooperate, offering any extra info or clarification as requested.
My administration’s Ideas for Accountable and Accountable Authorities proceed to information our work. We’ll handle any questions that will come up from the State’s course of and transfer ahead with readability and accountability in the most effective curiosity of the residents of St. Petersburg.
Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, Metropolis of St. Petersburg
“St. Pete was accountable for 72% of the inhabitants progress in Pinellas County, between 2020 and 2024, so clearly individuals need to stay in St. Petersburg,” Cross stated. “The rise in property taxes is as a result of it is a fascinating place to stay. We’re constructing extra housing for individuals, and that displays in, , elevated income for town.”
CFO Ingoglia stated in about 60 days, when the audit studies come out, he will likely be making the findings public.
