DeSantis hits Manatee with DOGE audit. See what the task force is looking for
As Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) prepares to audit Manatee County’s spending, an official letter sheds light on what exactly the agency is looking for.
Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Bradenton on Thursday to announce that the state’s DOGE will dive into Manatee County Government’s budget to search for proof of excessive or irresponsible expenditures. His announcement came days after DeSantis announced similar audits in Broward County and Gainesville.
Speaking during his press conference, DeSantis pointed to Manatee County’s increasing reserves and property tax revenue as key red flags and the reason that he asked DOGE to audit the county government’s books.
“Part of the reason is, we’ve had a lot of feedback, a lot of concerned people have asked us to take a look at this when they found out that this was something that was in the budget,” DeSantis said.
In a letter to Manatee County officials, the DOGE task force requested documentation related to more than 60 information requests, citing an “increased burden on property owners” due to higher property tax collections.
The information requests take aim at a wide array of spending related to property acquisition, traffic alleviation, climate change and more. DOGE also requested an “on-site visit” to the County Administration Building on Aug. 5 and 6.
Commissioner George Kruse, who serves as chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, welcomed the audit, calling it a “great opportunity” in a social media post Thursday.
“While some officials may hope no inefficiencies are found so that they can boast of their past successes; I personally hope the DOGE team finds meaningful savings so we can learn from the past and look forward to providing an even higher quality of life at an even lower cost of living for all residents and business owners in Manatee County,” Kruse said in the post.
What DOGE is looking for in Manatee
The state DOGE task force will audit all policies, procurements and other information for purchases over $10,000, as well as take a deeper look at some specific expenditures.
This includes the county’s Gulf Islands Ferry water taxi service, which launched in 2023. The DOGE team is requesting details like planning documents, operating hours considerations, capital expenditures, sources of funding and ridership data.
Additionally, DOGE will investigate the county’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) activities like any jobs with DEI responsibilities and details of county DEI training since 2020.
There’s also a request for information on documentation, policies and purchases related to climate change initiatives, emissions reduction programs, electric vehicles and solar power.
The DOGE team is also interested in property acquisition, namely the county’s approval of a $24 million county administration building in Lakewood Ranch. Requested information includes a list of alternative options, need assessments, recent appraisals and projected operating costs.
In relation to that, DOGE wants to know what the county has spent on renovations to the existing county administration building since 2019, as well as money spent on furniture and decor since 2023.
The request also calls out the county’s recent consideration to purchase the Mixon Fruit Farms property for $13.6 million.
Why is DOGE coming to Manatee County?
The state’s newly-appointed chief financial officer Blaise Ingoglia joined DeSantis for the press conference and both said Manatee County would be the next subject in the task force’s endeavor to cut wasteful government spending.
“Governments should really not be increasing their budgets more than population growth and inflation growth,” Ingoglia said at the press conference. “Anything over and above that should be looked at ... That is what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to shine a light on excessive, wasteful spending.”
Earlier this year, DeSantis’ administration disputed the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners’ attempt to restore wetlands protections. The state cited Senate Bill 250 and stated the county would be violating the law if they voted to restore wetland protections.
Following the dispute, Kruse voiced his discontent with the state’s Senate Bill 180, which has language similar to Senate Bill 250 in how it prohibits the ability to impose more restrictive land-use codes.
“This is a disaster. I can’t even fathom how any rational legislature would think this is actually in the best interest of the citizens they vowed to represent,” Kruse said in a May 13 post on his X account.
Then, in June, DeSantis signed the state’s budget, which included $5 million in vetoed appropriations requested by Manatee County Government.
What happens next?
In May, the Manatee County Commission voted to create a Government Efficiency Liaison Committee in support of DeSantis’ creation of Florida’s newly created DOGE agency.
During Tuesday’s public meeting, the board is expected to appoint five residents to serve on that committee.
