This story was updated with new information.
Florida’s Interim Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, who is running for the post in the 2026 election, criticized Flagler County for what he said is “excessive, wasteful spending” of $59 million in the county’s budget.
He presented his argument during a private event March 26 in Flagler County, and included it in a press release issued the same day. He called on the local government to “offer immediate property tax relief to the taxpayers” while pointing out that the county’s general fund budget has increased by approximately 119% in the last five fiscal years.
In its own press release, the county defended its “fiscal efficiency and accountability” while welcoming the CFO’s role in the process of ensuring “our taxpayers receive the maximum benefit from every dollar.”
Ingoglia’s criticism comes after a series of similar fiscal analysis conducted for other Florida counties, including one for Citrus County just days before.
His efforts began amid Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to eliminate property taxes in Florida. But while a bill, titled HJR 203, proposed eliminating all non-school taxes for homesteaded properties passed the Florida House of Representatives, it died in the Senate’s Appropriations Committee March 13.
Ingoglia attended an invitation-only event at the Club at Hammock Beach March 26 were he made a presentation on his findings. The club’s marketing manager, Nicole O’Neill, confirmed his attendance.
Appointed by DeSantis in July 2025 to replace Jimmy Patronis, Ingoglia is running for the seat in November.
A call to his press office on March 27 was not returned.
Florida CFO criticizes Flagler County’s budget increases, suggests property tax cuts
According to the CFO, Flagler County’s general fund budget has increased by $110,241,921 between fiscal year 2019-20 and FY 2025-26.
“The budget increase we have seen in Flagler County represents the single largest increase we have seen out of the 16 spending reviews have conducted so far, and it should concern every single taxpayer in this county,” Ingoglia said of the Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight’s analysis in the press release.
He did mention the spike in the county’s population.
“Over the past six years, Flagler County has added 80 full-time administrative employees to accommodate a 32,564 increase in population growth.”
Flagler’s 2025-26 general fund budget was $203 million, according to the county’s website. Five years ago, it was approximately $92.4 million.
The government budget increase equates to an increase of $3,385.39 for individual residents and $13,541.56 for a family of four, according to the agency’s analysis.
The CFO suggested the county reduce its property tax rate by 1.40 mills. The county’s 2025-26 adopted tax rate is 7.8695, which essentially means homeowners pay approximately $7.87 for every $1,000 of their home’s assessed value.
A 1.40 reduction, Ingoglia’s analysis argued, would mean:
Ingoglia argued that taxpayers “deserve to know exactly where their money is going” and “the confidence that (it) is being spent wisely.”
“It’s the hard-working taxpayers who are left footing the bill for this reckless and irresponsible spending,” Ingoglia’s statement said. “Time and time again these spending reviews are proving to us that meaningful property tax reform isn’t just possible, it’s necessary.”
Flagler County chair: ‘taxation cannot be the answer to every problem’
In an email to The News-Journal March 28, Flagler County Chair Leann Pennington welcomed Ingoglia’s analysis of the county’s finances, noting that she and others on the board “have consistently raised concerns about rising project costs, increased staffing, and the overall growth of government.”
Those concerns, for the most part, “have now been validated.”
“It is also important to note that during the timeframe reviewed, the County took meaningful steps to strengthen its financial position,” Pennington wrote. “Reserves were increased, outstanding debt was significantly reduced, and our bond rating improved, resulting in long-term savings and better preparedness for potential disasters.”
She said she is “glad” Ingoglia “recognized these issues and selected our county as an example of wasteful spending.”
“It reinforces what I’ve been saying for some time: taxation cannot be the answer to every problem government identifies,” the county chair added. “Several weeks ago, we took an important step by making changes in the county’s administration, a move I believe was necessary to begin addressing these challenges.”
The Board of County Commissioners on March 2 approved a mutual separation agreement with longtime County Administrator Heidi Petito, who has faced criticism from a majority of the board over the past few months.
“We have also lowered property taxes every year I’ve been in office,” Pennington added. “I’m doing my part, now hopefully we will get an Administration that will bring efficiencies and cost reductions to the table. I’m encouraged by these findings and hopeful this serves as a turning point. Growing government is not the answer.”
Flagler County defends fiscal record after Florida CFO’s criticism
In a press release issued March 26 afternoon, Flagler County defended its record while welcoming “the opportunity to discuss fiscal efficiency and accountability,” as it is a “value we also champion.”
“Over the years, we’ve restructured and reduced debt, raised our reserves, and improved the bond rating to AA+, strengthening our fiscal position,” the county argued.
The local government also pointed to its “Transparency Dashboard” — a website containing information about the county’s strategic planning, budget, infrastructure and capital projects, and more.
“Our 16-year record of national budget excellence and our award-winning Transparency Dashboards prove that we don’t just talk about accountability, we build it into every dollar we spend,” the county’s release said.
The proposed Senate Bill 1566, requiring local governments to provide easier access to budget information online, “mirrors the exact standards Flagler established years ago,” the county argued.
“We acknowledge the Florida CFO’s role in this process, and we will continue to work side-by-side with the state to ensure our taxpayers receive the maximum benefit from every dollar,” the county’s press release added. “In Flagler, the books are open, the mission is clear, and our commitment to efficiency and accountability is proven.”
Calls to Commissioners Greg Hansen and Andy Dance, and County Administrator Heidi Petito March 27 were not immediately returned.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: In private event, state CFO criticizes Flagler County’s budget
Reporting by Brenno Carillo, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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