Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and newly appointed Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced Tuesday that state auditors will begin a formal review of Broward County’s finances, alleging misuse of taxpayer dollars.
The audit, led by Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), will begin July 31 and include onsite inspections and data reviews by teams from various state agencies. Broward County is one of the local governments selected for the audit, along with Gainesville. Officials warned that jurisdictions found non-compliant could face penalties of at least $1,000 per day.
“Broward County, unfortunately, is probably, in my mind, one of the worst offenders when it comes to spending,” said Ingoglia, during a press conference in Fort Lauderdale.
DeSantis echoed the criticism, stating, “We’re here in Broward County, and I think most people know there is some criticism of how the county government has operated. I think over the last five years, taxpayers here in Broward watched their county government increase property tax burdens by the tune of $450 million.”
He said the increase was “close to 50% in the last five years,” and argued that the county’s lack of substantial population growth made such spending levels excessive.
“We don’t have to ask, ‘Mother, may I?’ we can just simply say you must comply under the law,” DeSantis added, referencing the state’s authority to demand cooperation from local governments.
A letter sent Monday to Broward Mayor Beam Furr requested access to the county’s premises, data systems, and personnel on July 31 and August 1. The letter also outlined a list of specific requests, including documents related to county contracts, employee payroll, property management, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, and the 2025 Broward County Climate Change Action Plan.
While DeSantis and Ingoglia leveled broad claims against the county, they provided few specific examples of alleged overspending beyond general references to “taxpayers.”
Broward County officials pushed back. Mayor Beam Furr, speaking in May on “This Week in South Florida,” said he had anticipated the move and rejected the governor’s claims. “The allegations simply aren’t true,” he said.
County Commissioner Steve Geller was more pointed in his criticism. “He is going after two large Democratic counties. I am sure that is only a coincidence, because what other reason could there be,” Geller said.
Geller also argued the state’s math is flawed, saying tax rates are calculated using widely accepted formulas and are in line with local needs.
