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Florida DOGE auditors to descend upon Pinellas
State officials have 14 specific requests related to diversity, equity and inclusion, including a list of government employees, contractors, grant recipients and “members of the public” who have received “anti-racism” training since Jan. 1, 2020.
Pinellas County commissioners passed a resolution in April that highlighted their willingness to cede influence over the local taxpayer-funded budget to state appointees. They now have no choice.
The Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has selected the county for further review and on-site inspections. A letter obtained by the Catalyst states that the agency must access “physical premises, data systems and responsive personnel” Aug. 7 and 8.
The letter, dated July 28, begins by noting that county officials have reduced property tax rates in recent years. However, DOGE wrote that rising values have caused those revenues to soar by $220 million since 2020.
“This increased burden on property owners has helped Pinellas County increase (its) general fund expenditures by approximately $330 million since 2020 – an increase in spending of 43% during that period,” the letter states. “Having entrusted their governments with the power to tax, the citizens of Florida have a right to expect that their elected officials will spend the collected funds responsibly, not recklessly.”
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 letter. They sent it to Commission Chair Brian Scott, who introduced the resolution in April, and County Administrator Barry Burton.
The three state officials wrote that Governor Ron DeSantis charged them to find and report on “this type of excessive spending at the county and municipal level.” St. Petersburg’s public information officer said Thursday that the city has not received any further demands from DOGE “at this time.”
The letter alleges that citizens have “responded with enthusiasm” to the agency’s mission. “We appreciate Pinellas County’s passage of a resolution in support of Florida DOGE as an example of that enthusiasm, and we hope that our work will ultimately support responsible decision-making by Pinellas County leaders.”
Commissioner Vince Nowicki noted that the county’s administrative budget, excluding public safety, increased by 5.3%. He believes that is unsustainable without funding cuts or property tax hikes.
Nowicki blamed salary increases, exorbitant staff memberships and decades-old municipal service contracts that no longer reflect costs for a ballooning budget. “I welcome the review to see how we can be more efficient, if there are ways to save money,” he said.
“I welcome a review from anybody.”
Specific Requests
The letter lists about 80 specific requests. County officials must provide the “information and documents described, access to the data systems containing such information and documents and individuals with appropriate expertise to describe the county’s activities and decisions” for each item.
Some of the records and communications requests date back to 2019. Governments often charge thousands of dollars for a fraction of what DOGE wants to see from the county.
The county had 10 days to compile the mountain of data. Nowicki noted it is the government’s job “to keep those records forever,” and that commissioners volunteered for this scrutiny in April.
The first specific requests encompass policies, procedures and rules for procurements and contracts over $10,000. State officials did not provide a starting point for the itemized list.
DOGE also wants comprehensive compensation data for thousands of county employees dating back to 2019. The agency then requests property management and utility rate data.
DEI and ‘The Green New Deal’
However, the remaining four pages – most of the specific requests – encompass diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), the “Green New Deal,” grants for nonprofits and transportation projects.
State officials have 14 specific DEI requests, including a list of government employees, contractors, grant recipients and “members of the public” who have received “anti-racism” training since Jan. 1, 2020.
“I don’t think there’s going to be sensitive information made available to the public,” Nowicki said. “Or someone who could do some sort of malice or ill-will with it.”
DOGE also wants to review any grant ever allocated to an organization that “operates on the basis of, or for the benefit of, individuals of specified race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity other than male or female.”
“I think that’s a lot to bite off,” Nowicki said. “But I think taxpayers deserve transparency. A lot of local governments are not funding DEI programs based on merit. I think it should be done based on merit and who deserves it, versus politics.”
The county must provide communications to staff regarding DEI since Jan. 1, 2019, and all “policies, programs and guidelines related to race, ethnicity, gender and/or disparities within the Health Care Services Division.”
“Is it all necessary? Probably not,” Nowicki admitted. “But it would be good to know if there were some improprieties. Martin Luther King (Jr.) said that delayed justice is injustice.”
Nowicki believes that discerning previous financial mismanagement will provide future benefits. DOGE also wants any documentation ever recorded regarding climate change and emissions reduction efforts.
The agency requested data on the incorporation of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards “into any project funded by the county,” and the justification. State officials will review any purchases related to electric vehicles (EVs), associated equipment, parts and training, solar power systems and an EV infrastructure master plan included in the fiscal year 2025 budget.
The grants section covers payments made to nonprofits since Jan. 1, 2023, related procedure, matching requirements and “analysis of the impact.” Transportation encompasses all information on capital projects, including traffic calming devices, from the same date.
However, transportation requests also include forecasted operating cost estimates for all projects in the five-year capital improvements budget “in the category of Culture and Recreation.”
“I don’t think it has anything to do with liberal versus conservative,” said Nowicki, a Republican. “I think it’s being responsible with taxpayer dollars. So, we’ll find out here soon enough.”
Linda Marr
August 6, 2025at2:05 pm
DOGE
Please check into the Vacant land next to Palm Lake Christian Church in St. Pete’s Disston Heights neighborhood being developed into an 86-unit affordable housing community restricted to low-income households.
Total scam and waste of taxpayers money.
GWEN THOMAS
August 3, 2025at4:59 pm
In this lies the reason we should retain property tax.Let our local government disburse our budget as they know best. Out of town regulation is out of touch, and an abundance of our federal tax dollars. No thank you. Leave us alone, please!
Jim Wurster
August 3, 2025at4:45 pm
Why don’t they look into the millions a Pinellas county is spending on buying and building new courthouse and county buildings and why are they not repairing the boat ramps at the parks such as War veterans Park ? They are saying apparently they are waiting on FEMA money but if they have so much in reserves why are they waiting especially with the number of boats in Pinellas County! Another area to look is why do they continue to spend millions pumping sand onto the beaches and not designing a project to keep it on the beaches as in rock jetties off the beach or!
Richard Lennox
August 2, 2025at5:47 pm
What’s that on your nose, Nowicki?
Peter Leon
August 2, 2025at2:07 pm
I’m guessing cutting taxpayers money to work on your judo Air Force One gift is not reckless?
John Donovan
August 1, 2025at8:31 pm
An audit in government is a good thing. The more the complaining about the more it is a necessity.
R D Peterson
August 1, 2025at7:38 pm
“DOGE also wants any documentation ever recorded regarding climate change and emissions reduction efforts.” Of acourse it does, as the GOP does not recognize Climate Chanage– why would they?
JAMES GILLESPIE
August 1, 2025at7:10 pm
As a registered Republican, I see no sound reason(s) for a Florida DOGE witch hunt of this size. Generally, Pinellas government bodies perform adequately. Will DOGE compensate the County Commission for the cost of the examination in all aspects? This is sort of toddying to Washington. Is privacy going to be honored where it should be?
Angela Wilson
August 1, 2025at6:08 pm
It is ironic that the “Free State of Florida” keeps piling on more rules, laws, regulation to impress the POTUS . It is unfortunate that the Commissioners would sign up and avail their constituents to DOGES massive over reach and lack of proven success. Another Sad day in local politics that will make MAGA nation happier I suppose.
Steve Jones
August 1, 2025at5:35 pm
Wow it’s exciting to see our government held to the minimum standards of any private business.
Steve Sullivan
August 1, 2025at3:19 pm
. The Republican Party is harming the economy with the politics and agenda to set the narrative how they see the world which is okay so for Nick to say what he’s saying and to not look at things as politics inherently that is the case and he’s part of the problem along with the majority Independence County Commission they can’t call a spade a spade when they see it and I said