US EditionFlorida CFO claims $344 million overspending in Palm Beach County, county responds
Palm Beach County's budget rose nearly 59% since 2019-2020, with $9,966 spent per new resident, leading to a proposed millage rate cut of 0.55 by Florida CFO.
- On Dec. 4, 2025, Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced at the Okeechobee Steakhouse, West Palm Beach, that Palm Beach County overspent by $344 million and proposed a millage rate reduction of 0.55.
- The state audit team calculated changes by factoring inflation and population growth, finding Palm Beach County's budget rose nearly 59% since FY2019-2020 while adding roughly 88,000 residents, equating to roughly $9,966 per new person, Ingoglia said.
- Breaking down the revenue increase, the CFO highlighted that more than $420 million was allocated to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, with the rest spread across more than 30 departments.
- County officials pushed back, saying Palm Beach County officials disputed the state's formula, noting the millage rate has been lowered twice in the past four years, and Joe Abruzzo, Palm Beach County Administrator, welcomed recommendations to review budgets.
- This development comes amid a statewide review that has flagged over $1.8 billion in excess, as the Republican-controlled Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis push a November 2026 referendum, with homeowners of $600,000–$800,000 valued properties potentially saving $331–$441 annually.
7 Articles
7 Articles
Florida CFO Drops Audit on Palm Beach — Government Bloat EXPOSED
Government waste has drawn the ire of fiscal conservatives for generations, but President Trump's election -- and his establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency -- has put a national spotlight on such excessive taxpayer-funded spending. Smaller-scale audits of local and state governments have found the same type of boondoggle ...
Florida DOGE claims $344M in overspending by Palm Beach County government
Palm Beach County government spending has surpassed inflation and population growth by more than $344 million this year, Florida’s chief financial officer argued Thursday. As part of what CFO Blaise Ingoglia called “the wasteful spending exposing tour,” he held a news conference in West Palm Beach to call attention to his office’s findings, holding up placards with large numbers on them. “Palm Beach County needs to do better. The taxpayers deser…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
