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Florida Lawmakers Order Audit of Daytona Beach Finances as Mayor Pledges Cooperation

State auditors will review P-cards alongside permit revenues following reports of questionable spending.

Overview

  • The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee voted 12-0 to direct the Auditor General to conduct an operational audit of Daytona Beach.
  • The review will cover the city’s purchasing-card program and building permit revenues, which Sen. Tom Wright says have swelled to roughly $14.5 million since 2019.
  • WESH reporting that flagged hotel stays, expensive dinners, and cellphones charged by staff and non-employees helped trigger the state action.
  • Sen. Wright said the state may start with permitting fees before turning to P-card controls, and he noted the city has not had a comprehensive audit in 34 years.
  • Wright said Florida CFO Blaise Ingolia plans to move quickly, though no start date has been released, and Mayor Derrick Henry said the city will fully cooperate.