Citrus County — Citrus County taxpayers may have been footing the bill for what Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia describes as more than $39 million in excessive and wasteful government spending, according to findings released during his statewide Fiscal Accountability Tour.
Standing before local residents and elected officials in Lecanto, Ingoglia announced that a review of Citrus County’s finances found spending growth that far exceeded population growth over the past six years. According to the CFO’s office, the county’s General Fund budget increased by approximately 72.8 percent since fiscal year 2019-2020, while the county’s population grew by only about 10 percent during the same period.
The report estimates that more than $39 million in current spending could be considered excessive and potentially available for taxpayer relief. Ingoglia argued that local government officials have expanded spending at a pace that taxpayers can no longer afford.
According to the analysis, Citrus County’s budget increased by more than $76 million over six years. The CFO’s office calculated that the increase equates to roughly $5,000 in additional spending for every new resident who moved into the county during that period.
The report also found that Citrus County added 278 full-time government positions since 2019, but only 64 of those positions were classified as first responders. Critics of county spending have questioned whether staffing increases outside of public safety have delivered measurable benefits to residents.
Perhaps the most significant finding involved property taxes. The Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight concluded that Citrus County could theoretically reduce its property tax millage rate by 2.23 mills while maintaining essential county services. According to the CFO’s office, homeowners with taxable property values of $400,000 could save approximately $894 annually under such a reduction.
The announcement has fueled debate over government spending and transparency in Citrus County. Supporters of the CFO’s findings argue that residents deserve relief from rising property tax burdens and greater scrutiny of government budgets. Others have questioned the methodology used in the analysis and whether the spending labeled as “wasteful” reflects legitimate growth in county services and infrastructure needs.
Ingoglia stated that Citrus County is one of numerous Florida local governments identified during his statewide review of municipal and county budgets. He claims his office has now identified billions of dollars in spending he believes exceeds what is necessary to provide core government services.
As Citrus County officials prepare future budgets, taxpayers are likely to continue demanding answers about whether county government has grown too large and whether residents are receiving adequate value for the taxes they pay. The debate is expected to become a major issue during upcoming budget discussions and local elections.
For now, the CFO’s findings have placed a spotlight on county spending and reignited calls for greater fiscal accountability, transparency, and property tax relief in Citrus County.
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