DeSantis Budget Backlash: Manatee Officials Unafraid of DOGE

State DOGE Audit Sparks Discussion in Manatee County

Manatee County officials are preparing for an upcoming audit by the state’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team. The audit, part of a broader initiative to examine local government spending, has raised questions and sparked discussions among county commissioners. Despite the scrutiny, officials have expressed confidence in their financial decisions and operations.

Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced that the DOGE task force will conduct an audit of Manatee County as part of its ongoing investigations into local governments. The primary goal of the audit is to identify any instances of reckless spending and to review the county’s expanding budget. The state's DOGE team will visit the county next Tuesday and Wednesday to review more than 60 information requests related to the county’s spending practices.

One of the key areas under review is the county’s plan to purchase the Mixon Fruit Farms property. This proposed $13.5 million acquisition has been highlighted in the audit. However, the Board of County Commissioners remains focused on moving forward with the purchase, having unanimously approved a budget amendment to support the transaction.

During a recent meeting, Commissioner Bob McCann asked county staff whether they had all the information required by the DOGE team. This included assessments and plans from the county, as well as financial data from the current owners of Mixon Fruit Farms. In response, Commissioner George Kruse emphasized that the county has nothing to hide and should not be afraid of the audit.

“If we feel we’ve been doing things properly in Manatee County, and I believe we have, then we just need to continue moving down the road as if we’ve always moved down the road,” Kruse said. He added that the county should not worry about the audit if the commission is confident in the purchase and can demonstrate that it brings value to taxpayers.

McCann echoed this sentiment, stating that no one is scared of the DOGE audit. “To set the record straight, nobody's scared of DOGE,” he said. Later in the meeting, McCann reaffirmed his stance, emphasizing that the county is following the law and doing what is right.

Commissioner Carol Ann Felts also weighed in, suggesting that the audit could help uncover past inefficiencies and provide new insights. “We shouldn't have too much to worry about,” she said.

Manatee County Establishes Its Own DOGE Committee

In addition to the state audit, the Manatee County Board of Commissioners has taken steps to create its own Government Efficiency Liaison Committee. At a meeting on July 29, five members were appointed to the committee: David Otterness, Benjamin Heavener, John Settineri, Mark Stanoch, and Don Berg.

The committee was established in May, and applications closed on July 18. According to Kruse, the selection process aimed to include individuals with diverse expertise in IT, HR, and finance. “This is an important board,” Kruse said in a press release. “The intent was to have a broad swatch of people with IT, HR and finance experience. Backgrounds and experience are important.”

Governor DeSantis Highlights Concerns About Manatee County

DeSantis and Florida’s newly appointed chief financial officer, Blaise Ingoglia, visited Bradenton to announce the audit. The state’s DOGE task force investigates local spending through government records, data systems, physical premises, and personnel.

DeSantis cited concerns about the discrepancy between rising property tax revenue and population growth in Manatee County, as well as the county’s growing reserve fund. These factors, according to DeSantis, warranted closer examination.

In response to the announcement, Manatee County Government released a statement expressing appreciation for the state’s commitment to financial responsibility. “Manatee County looks forward to working with the State of Florida and the State DOGE team on their efforts,” the statement said. “We are proud of the progress we've made here in Manatee County and look forward to identifying ways to improve.”

The county emphasized its dedication to responsible budgeting and accountability to residents. As the audit approaches, officials remain focused on transparency and maintaining public trust.