Gov. DeSantis, Ingoglia announce DOGE audits of local government spending to begin July 31

Gov. DeSantis announces Florida 'DOGE' plans

The State of Florida has sent letters to local governments in Broward County and Gainesville addressing their spending, and more audits are coming, Gov. Ron DeSantis and new Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said Tuesday. Aaron Mesmer reports.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The State of Florida has sent letters to local governments in Broward County and Gainesville addressing their spending, and more audits are coming, Gov. Ron DeSantis and new Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said Tuesday.

The backstory:

Earlier this year, the state launched its own Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), modeled after the federal government’s effort to find fraud, waste and abuse after President Donald Trump took office in January.

Gov. DeSantis news conference on DOGE audits

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia spoke Tuesday about the state's effort to audit local governments for wasteful spending.

On Monday, Ingoglia, former chair of the Florida Republican Party, was sworn in as the state’s new CFO.

Ingoglia is known for his stance on cutting government spending, promising last week at a news conference in Tampa to go after local governments he believes are wasteful with public funds.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Florida Sen. Blaise Ingoglia as the state’s new chief financial officer at a news conference in Tampa on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

In a post on social media Monday night, Ingoglia announced that letters have been sent to Broward County and Gainesville, calling on them to provide financial information in such areas as requesting financial information on compensation, contracts, and DEI initiatives.

Letter sent to Broward County by the State of Florida. (Courtesy: X/@GovGoneWild)

Both letters read, in part:

What they're saying:

At a news conference in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, the governor said more DOGE audits of county and municipal governments are coming.

A team composed of auditors and other staff from various state agencies will "conduct reviews of the data systems, physical premises and personnel of counties and cities that have thus far refused to cooperate with us to identify and report on any excessive spending patterns."

Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference in Fort Lauderdale on July 22, 2025.

"There's a new era of accountability in the state of Florida when it comes to fiscal spending," Ingoglia said.

Pictured: Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia speaks at a news conference in Fort Lauderdale on July 22, 2025.

What's next:

DeSantis says on-site inspections and audits will begin July 31.