Manatee County Embraces Evaluation by Florida DOGE Task Force

Key Information

• Event: Upcoming audit of Manatee County by the Florida DOGE Task Force
• Announcement Date: July 24
• Key Figures: Governor Ron DeSantis, CFO Blaise Ingoglia, Chair George Kruse
• Audit Dates: August 5-6
• Key Issues: Property tax increase of 86% vs. 14% growth in county
• Proposed Advisory Board: Comprised of citizens with expertise in various fields; appointed July 29

While most people dread any type of audit, Manatee County Commission Chair George Kruse welcomes the county’s upcoming audit by the Florida DOGE Task Force.

Kruse called the audit an opportunity to look for efficiencies and savings.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the audit during a press conference at the Manatee Performing Arts Center on July 24, alongside Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.

DeSantis stated that Manatee County was chosen for the audit based on requests due to significant spending concerns.

“We’ve had a lot of feedback, a lot of concern,” DeSantis noted, highlighting a considerable increase in county-level spending.

He focused on the last six years where property tax receipts surged by 86%, translating to an increase of $213 million, in contrast to only a 14% growth in the county population.

To address this discrepancy, DOGE will review the justification behind the increased spending.

Although Manatee County staff and commissioners were unaware of the press conference details, the planning for an audit wasn’t unforeseen.

In February, DeSantis declared the initiation of a DOGE Task Force to analyze local spending records aimed at highlighting inefficiencies.

In April, Kruse proposed forming a five-member advisory board composed of community experts in accounting, finance, IT, and human resources to conduct an independent review of spending.

This board will be established for one year, with members scheduled for appointment on July 29.

Kruse stated that the county has already responded to one records request from the state and is actively addressing another since the audit announcement.

While 80% of the latest information request can be prepared quickly through reports, the remaining 20% involves more complex inquiries needing subjective explanations, such as rationale for branding on Community and Veterans Services vehicles.

The task force is set to be in Manatee County on August 5-6, with Kruse mentioning that necessary preparations for access to records are being made.

He expressed hope that an impartial review would reveal possible savings for the county.

“If we can act on the recommendation and they result in commensurate tax savings, we’re on board with that,” Kruse remarked.