Overview

• Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by CFO Blaise Ingoglia, said initial findings point to nearly $279 million in questionable spending in Hillsborough County’s general fund for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Ingoglia said Hillsborough’s general fund has grown more than 50% since 2019 to about $860 million, while the county’s population rose by roughly 124,000 over the same period.
• The state has not provided a breakdown of programs or departments and says full DOGE reports will be released in the coming weeks as additional county audits proceed.
• Hillsborough Commissioner Harry Cohen disputed claims of overspending and said 83% of property-tax revenue supports public safety and infrastructure, calling for specific line items before considering cuts.
• Ingoglia is pushing for a 2026 ballot measure to curb local property taxes and now tallies alleged excess across four jurisdictions at about $745 million.