Florida CFO Accuses Flagler County of $59m in Wasteful Spending

Blaise Ingoglia, the Chief Financial Officer of Florida, on Thursday alleged $59 million in wasteful spending by the Flagler County government. He brought his accusations directly to county officials in a speech given at the Club at Hammock Beach. The event was not open to the public, but commissioners Leann Pennington, Kim Carney, and Pam Richardson were in attendance. The entire Palm Coast City Council was there, as were several constitutional officers. “The budget increase we have seen in Flagler County represents the single largest increase we have seen out of the 16 spending reviews [we] have conducted so far, and it should concern every single taxpayer in this county,” Ingoglia said. “Taxpayers deserve to know exactly where their money is going, and they deserve the confidence that is being spent wisely.” The review of Flagler County’s budget was conducted by the Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight (FAFO). The agency, whose acronym invokes the phrase, ‘f**k around and find out’, was established as a state-level equivalent to President Donald Trump’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), which slashed billions from the federal budget. The FAFO review of Flagler County’s budget produced one specific actionable suggestion: a reduction in county millage rate by 1.40. This would, in the claim of the county, save homeowners between $558 and $838 in property taxes annually depending on home value. “It’s the hard-working taxpayers who are left footing the bill for this reckless and irresponsible spending,” Ingoglia continued. “This isn’t a partisan issue, this is about protecting taxpayers, plain and simple. Time and time again these spending reviews are proving to us that meaningful property tax reform isn’t just possible, it’s necessary.” Flagler County’s Response Flagler County issued a response statement on Thursday after Ingoglia’s speech concluded. Flagler County welcomes the opportunity to discuss fiscal efficiency and accountability because it is a value we also champion. Over the years, we’ve restructured and reduced debt, raised our reserves, and improved the bond rating to AA+, strengthening our fiscal position. Our 16-year record of national budget excellence and our award-winning Transparency Dashboards prove that we don’t just talk about accountability, we build it into every dollar we spend. We are proud that the state’s new 2026 transparency mandates (HB 1329) mirror the exact standards Flagler established years ago. We acknowledge the Florida CFO’s role in this process, and we will continue to work side-by-side with the state to ensure our taxpayers receive the maximum benefit from every dollar. In Flagler, the books are open, the mission is clear, and our commitment to efficiency and accountability is proven. For any questions regarding the Flagler County transparency initiatives, visit https://www.flaglercounty.gov/Government/Transparency-Dashboard. The response was distributed by a county spokesperson but not attributed to any particular officials, elected or otherwise. It was also posted to the county’s social media, with comments turned off. Reaching the Heart of the Issue In interviews given Friday, two county commissioners pointed out they weren’t told exactly what in the county budget Ingoglia considered to be wasteful. They did, however, assure residents that a new county administrator later this year should be a meaningful step toward more efficient spending. “We’ve made the decision to move in with a new lawyer, new administrator,” said Commissioner Pam Richardson. “We’re going to have to focus in on this and do what we can to correct whatever mistakes were made in the past and to move ahead in a positive direction.” “I’m looking forward to a new administrator that can give us more guidance on budgeting,” Commissioner Kim Carney added. “Not every commissioner is an accountant. Not every commissioner looks at 550 pages of a budget. It’s very complex, and I think they do it that way because that’s what they do, that’s how they do their budget.” Blaise Ingoglia’s Angle Blaise Ingoglia was appointed Florida’s Chief Financial Officer by Gov. Ron DeSantis in July 2025. He filled the vacancy created by his predecessor Jimmy Patronis, who resigned to successfully run for U.S. Congress. Already Ingoglia has declared his campaign for a full term in office as Florida CFO. His series of county government audits with accompanying speeches have thrust his name into the public eye to a greater degree than holders of his office typically achieve. On Wednesday he appeared on FOX Business to speak about the FAFO initiative.