News Summary
Florida’s CFO, Blaise Ingoglia, has accused Orange County of over-collecting $190 million in property taxes, advocating for a rate reduction. He claims the county’s financial practices are excessive and urges local officials to address potential electoral consequences. Mayor Jerry Demings disputes the claims, citing population growth and rising costs. The ongoing audit by the Department of Government Efficiency adds to the scrutiny on county finances amidst a push for tax reform.
Orlando, Florida – Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Blaise Ingoglia, has publicly challenged Orange County’s financial management, alleging that the county has over-collected approximately $190 million in property tax revenues. This claim comes amidst a broader push for tax reform in the state, as Ingoglia implores the Orange County commission and mayor to approve a reduction in the property tax rate by 0.86 mils, potentially resulting in a significant tax cut for homeowners.
According to Ingoglia’s proposal, homeowners with properties valued at $300,000 would save around $257 annually, while those with $500,000 homes would see savings of approximately $428 each year. His assertions were substantiated by an analysis stating that property tax collections in the county have surged nearly $560 million over the past five years, costing each resident about $7,074 on average or about $28,296 for a family of four.
Ingoglia described the current tax regime as “excessive” and “bloated,” criticizing the county’s spending patterns, which include a reported salary increase of 24.5% for county employees over the last four years. He urged the commission to take action, expressing that financial discrepancies could lead to local officials facing electoral consequences.
Debate on Population Growth and Spending
In response to these claims, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, a Democrat, has contested Ingoglia’s figures related to population growth, asserting that the county has seen an increase of over 125,000 residents within the past five years. Demings emphasized the necessity of accommodating 75 million annual tourists, leading to an additional 206,000 individuals requiring public safety services daily.
Demings also pointed to rising inflation and increased costs associated with the Florida Retirement System pension as justifications for not lowering the tax rate. The Mayor argued that such claims of excessive tax collection ignore critical factors impacting county expenditures.
Audit and Financial Scrutiny
As tensions rise regarding the county’s financial practices, it is noteworthy that the Department of Government Efficiency, initiated by Governor Ron DeSantis, has launched an audit focusing on Orange County. This audit, which began in early August, has led to subpoenas issued to county employees. In late July, state officials indicated that Orlando’s tax collections saw an increase of $330 million, a figure later disputed by local officials.
Analysis by local observers has highlighted a 39% increase in property tax revenue from 2021 to 2025, contrasting with the 50% increase asserted by the state. Moreover, excluding capital projects, county expenditures rose by 36% during the same period. Ingoglia communicated concerns regarding the implications of these financial discrepancies on the local governance.
New Employment and Its Justification
Ingoglia also criticized the significant hiring trend within the county, noting the addition of over 661 new employees in five years. Demings defended this increase, explaining that more than half of the new hires were in public safety roles, implying that such staffing was necessary to meet growing demands.
Currently, the general fund budget for Orange County stands at approximately $8.2 billion. As both Ingoglia and Demings continue to exchange contrasting narratives regarding the financial health of the county and the potential need for tax adjustments, scrutiny over the county’s fiscal practices remains heightened.
With ongoing discussions about the future of property taxes in Florida, officials within the county are under increased pressure to address both the concerns raised by state leadership and the fiscal realities faced by residents.
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Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
