Thrive
St. Pete is next to get the DOGE treatment
Mayor Ken Welch said the city will “fully cooperate” with the controversial agency.
State appointees will soon scrutinize the City of St. Petersburg’s budget and nearly every other aspect of local government.
The Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has selected the city for further review and on-site inspections. A letter obtained by the Catalyst notes that the agency will access “physical premises, data systems and responsive personnel” Aug. 13 and 14.
The letter, dated Aug. 1 and addressed to Mayor Ken Welch, begins by admonishing the city for alleged financial mismanagement. It states that property owners have seen their tax “burden” increase by over 75%, more than $95 million, since 2019.
“Although the city has lowered its millage rate during this time period, collections have increased at a far faster pace,” a DOGE representative wrote. “These property tax collections have helped pay for a rapidly growing general fund budget: Nearly $130 million in growth, almost 50%, in that same period.”
St. Petersburg’s letter mirrors correspondence sent to Pinellas County officials July 28. However, the city is often at odds with the state due to its support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and green energy initiatives.
Eric Soskin, senior advisor to the governor and DOGE team lead; Blaise Ingoglia, the state’s chief financial officer; and Leda Kelly, director of the Office of Policy and Budget, signed the latest local mandate. Gov. Ron DeSantis designed the agency, announced in February, to mirror the federal version and “eliminate waste,” “save taxpayers money” and “ensure accountability.”
“We have received a follow-up letter from the State Division of Governmental Oversight and Efficiency and are reviewing carefully,” Welch said in a prepared statement. “The City of St. Petersburg will fully cooperate, providing any additional information or clarification as requested.
“My administration’s Principles for Accountable and Responsible Government continue to guide our work.”
The letter states that citizens expect elected officials to spend their tax dollars responsibly rather than recklessly, “and on truly necessary programs.” St. Petersburg could face financial penalties for not providing adequate access to information, city offices and other locations “you identify as necessary to comply with these requests.”
The city’s millage rate will remain unchanged after five years of annual reductions. St. Petersburg’s property tax base increased by 4.93% during the current fiscal year; however, that is less than half of the 10.43% spike seen in 2024.
DeSantis, much to the dismay of local leaders, has pushed to eliminate property taxes. Those revenues account for 73% of St. Petersburg’s general fund, and most of that money supports public safety.
Some of that money also supports DEI-related initiatives and events, like the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and St. Pete Pride parades. Those efforts are sure to come under state scrutiny.
While the state cannot force municipal policy or budget changes, it can withhold critical funding. DeSantis also has a history of removing local officials who do not comply with his directives.
The letter lists roughly 90 specific requests, about 10 more than the county received. City officials must provide “access to the information and documents described, access to the data systems containing such information and documents and individuals with appropriate expertise to describe the city’s activities and decisions.”
Specific requests encompass procurement and contracting, personnel compensation, management practices (city-owned properties), utilities, DEI, the “Green New Deal,” grants and financial management, transportation and homeless services. DOGE also named the city’s chief equity officer, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and diversity coordinator, the supplier diversity manager and a former director of sustainability and resilience as local officials the agency plans to interview.
DOGE did not request access to county personnel by name or for information regarding homeless services. “We will address any questions that may arise from the state’s process and move forward with clarity and accountability in the best interest of the residents of St. Petersburg,” Welch stated.
Judy Too
August 5, 2025at9:59 am
ChatGPT is not very helpful in illustrating Welch’s political career as a champion of wasting taxpayers money on everything possible beginning in 2000 when he was first elected to the County Commission where he stayed for 20 years.
During that time, Welch proposed the $3 Billion train from St Petersburg to Clearwater in 2013. He came up with the Sunrunner after “Greenlight” was defeated by 62% of voters in 2014.
The people were not allowed to vote on the Sunrunner, for which taxpayers pay 100% of capital costs and 95% of operating costs (which applies to all of PSTA funding).
PSTA is a failed public transit system serving lass than 1,5% of Pinellas residents using $200 Million of taxpayers money every year with consistent declines in ridership every year since 2015; $2 Billion from 2015-2024. All while city and county infrastructure continues to be less than adequate as proven by the many spills of raw sewage into Tampa Bay.
Welch increased the city’s support of homebuyer’s down payment to $60,000 in 2022, another use of taxpayers money for a very small special interest group.
Property taxes have soared in the past four years as new building has increased significantly. Welch denied the development of a Moffitt facility in St Petersburg in favor of another development of more rental housing. He has used almost all of the city’s allocation of “Penny for Pinellas” tax revenue for affordable housing.
Whether you are for are against the continued taxpayer subsidy of the Rays, Welch used our taxes to fund city resources to create a failed plan to give the Rays over $700 Million of taxpayers money for a new stadium.
He has allowed overdevelopment in the city while failing to bring our infrastructure up to reasonable standards.
Welch has repeatedly and continuously used his office to further DEI programs and favor special interests to the detriment of the general population. There are countless examples of fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayers money in the city and the county.
We the people are allowing this to continue as long as we continue to vote for the Woke agenda promoted by Welch and his puppets on the the city council and the city staff.
Yes, elections do have consequences and we have seen what happens when we vote.
Do you want your increased property taxes to be used for special interests or for all residents? That is the decision you must make when you vote.
Fred Sherman
August 4, 2025at10:37 pm
What Is Florida DOGE?
FFlorida’s Department of Government Efficiency (known as Florida DOGE) was formally created on February 24, 2025 by Governor Ron DeSantis. Its mission: audit universities and local governments, reduce bureaucracy, eliminate redundant state boards, and return surplus federal funds to the U.S. Treasury
New York Post
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Wikipedia
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Fox News
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DDeSantis has promoted it as a continuation of Elon Musk’s federal DOGE model, touting efforts like returning $878 million in unused federal grants
Politico
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The Guardian
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The Washington Post
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Substance or Spectacle? Critics Say “Sham”
1. Critics Call It Performative
FlFlorida’s legislature—including key leaders within DeSantis’s own party—have argued the state already had an existing efficiency task force since 2006. Leadership has criticized the new agency as redundant and politically motivated, not practical reform
The Guardian
WLRN
– ThThe Guardian described Florida’s DOGE as “symbolic gestures” lacking benchmarks or measurable outcomes, warning elimination of property taxes could jeopardize essential services like schools and public safety
The Guardian
2. Public Sentiment Skeptical
A A MediaLab@FAU poll in April found only 39% of Floridians supported Musk’s federal DOGE, with just 42% backing the state version, indicating lukewarm public approval at best
WLRN
– MoMore broadly, polls show nationwide opinion is divided — only about 29–47% express support for DOGE cuts, while a majority view the program unfavorably, especially among younger voters
Wikipedia
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Fox News
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3. Loose Accountability
StState-level DOGE programs across the U.S. — including Florida — have rolled out without clear metrics or solid performance targets. Most have reported only modest savings to date, casting doubt on their effectiveness
The Washington Post
4. Internal Republican Pushback
ToTop GOP legislators in Florida have voiced concerns about DeSantis’s DOGE overreach, urging real reforms rather than appearances, and warning that added cuts might undermine local governance and public services
The Guardian
Summary Table
Issue Supporters Say Critics Say
Efficiency Gains Cuts waste and returns unused funds Minimal clear savings so far
Public Services Impact Reduces bureaucracy & overhead Threatens schools, safety, local control
Political Motivation Pro-taxpayer, independent oversight Political branding tied to Trump/Musk agenda
Legislative Alignment Leadership buy-in via executive action GOP leaders question redundancy & motives
So: Is It a Political Sham?
There is strong evidence critics are right.
Florida DOGE is widely seen as symbolic and politically driven, rather than delivering concrete reforms. With limited public support, minimal reported savings, internal dissent—even among Republicans—and ongoing skepticism about cutting essential services, many analysts consider it a political showpiece more than an effective bureaucratic overhaul initiative.
If you’d like, I can dig into which local agencies or universities have already been audited, or review legislative responses in more detail.
Relevant news on Florida DOGE and DeSantis initiative
The Washington Post
GOP states embrace DOGE – but pursue far fewer cuts than Elon Musk
Mar 29, 2025
Politico
DeSantis DOGE fundraising pitch trips into the middle of Trump-Musk blowup
Jun 5, 2025
Business Insider
‘Thirsty for Elon’: Local politicians across America are copying the DOGE playbook
Mar 14, 2025
Sources
Ask ChatGPT
Donna Kostreva
August 4, 2025at6:27 pm
I hope that bonus fiasco is not forgotten. More of our tax dollars should be focused on infrastructure rather than subsidizing parades, street paintings and starving artists, empty buses carrying six passengers, and we need to lower potable water prices to homes.
James Hance
August 4, 2025at4:37 pm
Property taxes are assessed by the County based on what you paid for your property,. The City gets some of the proceeds, and plans to upgrade stormwater infrastructure. I’ve been in St. Pete since 2010 and have noticed my monthly water bills have increased over 15 years from $120 a month to about $150. My property taxes have gone up maybe 15%. If property taxes are killing you it’s probably not the fault of this mayor. This state DOGE investigation is purely political. Agree that bonuses for City staff employees working on the Rays deal should not have been offered. It’s a power play from the governor to replace Democrat leadership.
Wayne Tobola
August 4, 2025at3:39 pm
Thank GOD for watching our tax dollars while we build a $200 million dollar gold leaf ballroom in DC. These clowns need to be stopped.
Ryan Todd
August 4, 2025at3:14 pm
Thank God for the State DOGE Team. Property taxes have been killing me while Welch recklessly spends tax payer money and tries giving illegal bonuses to city employees for working on the Rays Disaster. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.