State to Send ‘DOGE’ Team to Jacksonville

By The News Service of Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and state Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia have signaled they will send auditors to Jacksonville on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 as part of their “DOGE” scrutiny of local spending. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan on Thursday released a request from the state, which was dated Monday, and a statement in response.

“They will find that our city finances have been managed responsibly and prudently, which is how we’ve held the number of non-public safety employees flat despite having one of the fastest growing populations in the country and the lowest millage rate by far of any major Florida city,” Deegan’s statement said.

DeSantis’ administration Thursday said officials from the Florida Department of Government Efficiency had arrived in Broward County and Gainesville as part of the effort. The administration said letters also have been sent to Hillsborough, Pinellas and Orange counties and Jacksonville to prepare for on-site visits. Broward and Orange counties and Gainesville are Democratic-leaning areas, while Deegan is a Democrat. “We welcome any financial evaluation not driven by partisanship or political gamesmanship,” she said in the statement Thursday.