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Pinellas government welcomes DOGE audits
Pinellas County will eagerly open its books and doors for Florida’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force.
County Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday that cedes influence over the local taxpayer-funded budget to the governor’s appointees. Pinellas officials will voluntarily “fully cooperate” with all records and departmental access requests.
Gov. Ron DeSantis designed Florida’s DOGE to mirror the federal version led by billionaire businessman Elon Musk. Commission Chair Brian Scott said the resolution he introduced would show the governor’s task force that “we are here, willing and able to work with them – cooperate in any way we can.”
“Pinellas County, with this resolution, is taking a responsible, common-sense approach to accountability and efficiency,” said Commissioner Vince Nowicki. “I’m happy to fully support this and your leadership for advancing it.”
Scott broached the topic at an April 3 work session. While the board remains unaware of what the DOGE process “looks like at this point,” he said implementing its best practices can save the county money.
Scott said he was “all for” the task force utilizing artificial intelligence to identify “redundancies and parallel systems.” The federal version has faced widespread criticism for arbitrarily cutting critical staff and programs, spreading misinformation and acting without transparency.
The commissioner’s resolution highlights their support for identifying and eliminating misspending, unnecessary programs, “misaligned” grants and redundant contracts. However, Scott said it also extends to those “which may be inconsistent with the policies of the state.”
Commissioner Dave Eggers said Tuesday he welcomed the scrutiny – provided the state task force does not claw “home rule away from our decisions.”
The governor, through DOGE, will attempt to sunset 70 state boards and commissions, cut 900 positions, require universities to undergo independent reviews and audits and search for local government spending deemed unnecessary. Penalties for noncompliance with task force recommendations remain unclear.
Commissioner Renee Flowers, the seven-person board’s lone Democrat, provided the only no vote. “I don’t think we need a resolution to say that we would look for efficiencies or inefficiencies because I believe that we’re doing that,” she said.
Flowers noted that county staff regularly request budget cuts. Conversely, she said the board often decreases their funding and grant recommendations.
The governor’s DOGE team asked county officials to answer five questions regarding their ability to pay loans, creditors and obligations and if they have had a budget deficit for two consecutive years since fiscal year 2018. “They asked us to respond – we responded quickly,” Flowers said.
County Administrator Barry Burton said that was the first of “many requests for information” that the board will receive. The resolution also allows DOGE access to “any physical premises.”
Pinellas has lowered its property tax rate in three of the past four years, a source of pride for several commissioners. Opponents wish the lost revenue would have gone to improving stormwater infrastructure, restoring beaches or other general fund expenditures.
A county release states that Pinellas has maintained high bond ratings and has the lowest per capita debt among large Florida counties. The resolution mentions eliminating wasteful spending and protecting taxpayers. “Maybe that’s one area that we can get help from,” said Commissioner Chris Latvala.
He said federal officials “spend like drunken sailors.” Commissioner Kathleen Peters said the national initiative has found “incredible efficiencies.”
“It may seem political on the surface,” Peters said of the resolution. “I’m not looking at this as political. I’m looking at this as just a way to fly our flag that we’re committed to good … fiscal practices.”
R D Peterson
April 12, 2025at2:06 pm
A no vote is a vote for common sense.
JudyToo
April 10, 2025at4:25 pm
They can start with buses and ferries. PSTA is a huge waste of taxpayers’ money, costing us about $200 million/year to serve about 1.6% of Pinellas County’s population.
Why so few? Because our population density is very low and we have jobs all over the county. It is virtually impossibles to use PSTA for anything including commuting to work, making multiple trips to grocery stores, doctors appointments, schools and all the imaginable destinations spread throughout the county.
Those who ride pay about 5% of the cost, taxpayers pay 100% of capital costs and 95% of operating costs. PSTA used almost $2Billion of taxpayers money in the ten year period from 2015-2014 while ridership declined every year.
Contracts with ride services such as Uber and Lyft could be more cost effective and provide point to point transportation for those who need financial assistance. Those vehicles are already on the streets, so no added vehicles required.
The County Commissioners have wasted Billions of taxpayers’ dollars over the years with no regard for efficiency or meeting the needs of those they profess to serve. In 2014, when Ken Welch was chairman of PSTA, he proposed “Greenlight Pinellas,” a $3 Billion train from St. Petersburg to Clearwater. Voters refused approval by 62%-32%.
He crammed the SunRunner boondoggle down our throats without giving us an opportunity to vote.
This county commission is just like previous commissions, bowing to Welch’s bid to give 1/2 of $700 million to the Rays for a new stadium. St. Petersburg taxpayers were expected to pay the other half. All without voter approval.
We were incredibly fortunate when the Rays backed out of the largest boondoggle in Pinellas County’s history. Had it been up to the city and the county, we would be paying that $700 Million plus interest over the next 30 years.
Yes we do need a real DOGE in Pinellas County. They have squandered the Penny for Pinellas tax revenues on everything but what we need – disaster mitigation and infrastructure improvements all over the county.
Let’s hope for the best and be prepared for more of the same ol’ BS we have heard since the first stadium was built over 30 years ago with the help of David Welch who was a city council member in favor of the current boondoggle which has cot taxpayers at least $1 million/year ever since we paid for its construction.
Mike C
April 10, 2025at10:24 am
Thank you Pinellas county leadership!
I dont understand why anyone would dissent on supporting an initiative to cut waste, fraud, etc. Why would Ms Flowers dissent? Her rationale makes no sense.
The article states… “The federal version has faced widespread criticism for arbitrarily cutting critical staff and programs, spreading misinformation and acting without transparency.” There is actually a Government Efficiency (DOGE) website setup to be transparent. Unfortunately citizens dont want to take the time to read it.. its right there on the website. The waste thats been identified is mindboggling.
FYI… Yesterday’s DOGE highlights.
An initial survey of Unemployment Insurance claims since 2020 revealed the following:
– 24.5k people over 115 years old claimed $59M in benefits
– 28k people between 1 and 5 years old claimed $254M in benefits
– 9.7k people with birth dates over 15 years in the future claimed
Can the county recommend an independent assessment of public transportation? The waste is shockingly apparent. Why are there buses driving around with few if any riders on many routes? Whats the value proposition?
S. Rose Smith-Hayes
April 9, 2025at10:03 pm
Unbelievable, such waste of time and funds to pay for this. I am thoroughly disappointed. Commissioner Rene Flowers, I applaud you, thank you.
Mark Johnson
April 9, 2025at3:45 pm
This is very concerning. The federal DOGE has shown remarkably weak evidence of finding inefficiencies. They publicize anecdotal (vs systemic) evidence, much of which gets subsequently debunked. It ends up becoming a political game to cut programs out of favor with the current administration. But it is not inefficiency!