Overview

• CFO Blaise Ingoglia says DOGE auditors, using a 2019–20 baseline adjusted for inflation and population plus 5% and 10% buffers, found $190,643,653 in excessive spending, or roughly $148 per resident, a calculation he says was reviewed by the Department of Revenue.
• Ingoglia recommends cutting Orange County’s rate by 0.86 mill, estimating annual savings of about $257 on a $300,000 home, as the county heads to a final vote on an $8.2 billion budget that keeps the rate at $4.43 per $1,000.
• Mayor Jerry Demings disputes the figures, citing 125,488 new residents, a $474 million general fund increase rather than $559 million, heavy demand from roughly 75 million tourists a year, and rising public safety costs.
• The standoff follows investigative subpoenas issued to 16 county employees and allegations of possible record tampering, which county officials deny while insisting they have fully cooperated with DOGE requests.
• The audit push is tied to a broader DeSantis–Ingoglia campaign for 2026 property‑tax changes, and Demings, who cannot seek another term as mayor, hinted he may run for governor.