ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia has sharply criticized Orange County’s General Fund Budget, calling nearly $200 million in spending “excessive and wasteful.” Ingoglia says that after accounting for population growth and inflation, the county’s current budget exceeds what is necessary, and he is urging officials to cut waste and provide immediate property tax relief to residents.
CFO Ingoglia Highlights Taxpayer Impact
“This money belongs in the hands of taxpayers, not bureaucrats who have proven fiscally irresponsible,” said Ingoglia. “Orange County is wastefully spending nearly $200 million in taxpayer funds, and it is high time that residents are armed with the information to hold their locally elected officials accountable. Floridians are tired of this misuse of tax dollars.”
Florida TaxWatch Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jeff Kottkamp supported the CFO’s call for accountability, stating, “Safeguarding taxpayer dollars should be a top concern for local governments. We are proud to work with CFO Ingoglia to highlight wasteful spending that leads to higher taxes for Floridians.”
Local Business Leaders Support Call for Efficiency
Nathan Ducote, Partner and Chief Strategic Officer at MassiveMAKE, praised the focus on efficiency: “Central Florida has everything it needs to lead the nation in advanced manufacturing and 3D printing. CFO Ingoglia’s focus on efficiency in government creates a transparent and affordable environment where businesses can thrive and talent can stay.”
Jerry Pierce, Founder of Restaurant Equipment World, echoed the sentiment: “As an Orange County resident, property taxes have grown exponentially for me and my employees. I am grateful to CFO Ingoglia for his commitment to keeping Florida affordable and cutting government waste.”
Orange County Budget Growth and Staffing Concerns
Since 2020, Orange County’s General Fund Budget has increased by $559 million, a 53.6% rise, while the population has grown by only 79,000 residents. This equates to a $7,074 budget increase per new resident, or $28,296 for a family of four.
Additionally, the county has added 661 new employees, with average local government wages increasing 24.5% over four years—outpacing both private sector and state government growth. CFO Ingoglia estimates that residents are overtaxed by $148 per person and that the county could reduce the millage rate by 0.86 mils without affecting services.
Ingoglia plans to continue identifying wasteful spending across the state as part of his role as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer.
Florida3 days ago
