Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Monday that the state will issue subpoenas to Orange County employees as part of an ongoing audit by the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The move comes after state auditors reported irregularities in county records during on-site visits, raising concerns about transparency and fiscal management.
“Orange County taxpayers deserve better,” DeSantis said. “I applaud CFO Ingoglia for issuing subpoenas to Orange County employees involved in grant decisions, fiscal operations, and divisional management. Altering public records and trying to cover up reckless spending decisions is unacceptable, and we will continue working to uncover the truth.”
According to DOGE, Orange County was flagged for an audit due to its rising budget and spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. State officials noted that over the last five years, the county’s ad valorem tax collections have increased by more than $330 million, a 52% jump since fiscal year 2019-20. During the same period, the county’s general fund expenditures grew from just over $1 billion to more than $1.6 billion — a 54% increase — while the population rose only about 10%.
Auditors also criticized the county’s diversity hiring practices, including $322,000 spent on a “disparity study” related to government contracting. State leaders framed these efforts as prioritizing ideology over fiscal responsibility.
In response, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings strongly rejected the state’s allegations. “Orange County Government fully cooperated with the Florida DOGE audit team, providing all the data and documents requested. No employee was instructed to alter, change or delete any documents,” Demings said in a statement. “While our employees may have read from or referred to notes or documents being discussed by the DOGE team, employees were not scripted in their remarks. The state has offered no evidence to support its allegation that we were hiding information or acting without integrity. We welcome the opportunity for full public transparency on this issue.”
DeSantis created DOGE through an executive order in February 2025, tasking the agency with monitoring efficiency and accountability across state agencies, universities, and local governments. The governor has touted the office as part of his broader push to reduce spending and increase oversight, noting that Florida has paid down nearly half of its historic tax-supported debt while maintaining a fully funded reserve.
