📣 STATE GOVERNMENT UPDATE: Major Local Government Oversight Bill Coming in 2026

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia has previewed a sweeping legislative package aimed at cracking down on what he calls “wasteful and excessive” local government spending. These proposals were highlighted in two December press conferences in Tampa and Winter Park and are expected to be filed for the 2026 Legislative Session beginning January 13.

At the center of the plan is making the Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight (FAFO) a permanent fixture in state law. FAFO was launched after Ingoglia’s July 2025 appointment and has already audited 11 local governments, claiming to uncover $1.86 billion in overspending statewide—including $344 million in Palm Beach County alone.

Ingoglia’s message:
“Protecting taxpayers should not have an expiration date, and neither should FAFO.”

🔍 What’s in the Proposed Legislation?

📌 Permanent FAFO Agency
Creates a long‑term state unit dedicated to auditing local governments for waste, fraud, and abuse.

📌 Stronger Transparency Requirements
Local governments would be required to:

• Post proposed budgets online at least 2 weeks before hearings

• Post amendments 7 days in advance

• Keep budgets online for 5 years

• Upload all contracts into a centralized, searchable state database

📌 Annual Financial Efficiency Reports
Local governments must report:

• Cash reserves

• Investment accounts

• Nonprofit funding

• Salaries of every employee

📌 Identify 10% in Potential Cuts
Governments must highlight 10% of their budget that could be trimmed (not necessarily cut) to show where savings exist.

📌 Penalties for Noncompliance

• Fines

• Withholding state funds

• Subpoenas for delays

• CFO authority to recommend removal of elected officials for financial abuse, malfeasance, or misfeasance

📌 Whistleblower Protections
Covers employees, contractors, subcontractors, and taxpayers who report waste or abuse.

📌 DEI Contracting Restrictions
Bans awarding extra points in procurement for DEI programs; contracts must be based on price and merit only.

📌 Mandatory State Audits for Local Tax Referendums
Any local government seeking to raise taxes via referendum would first undergo a state audit.

🏛️ Who’s Sponsoring It?

• Rep. Monique Miller (R–Palm Bay) is sponsoring the House version.

• Senate sponsors are expected, with Sen. Nick DiCeglie mentioned in coverage.

💬 Why This Matters

Ingoglia frames this as part of a broader push for property tax relief in 2026. By documenting local overspending, he argues that governments can absorb tax cuts without reducing essential services.

Local officials in some counties have pushed back, questioning FAFO’s methodology and disputing the “waste” figures - but the legislation is moving forward regardless.