CFO Blaise Ingoglia unleashed a torrent of criticism on the municipal spending in Manatee County, continuing his road trip through more than a half-dozen Florida counties and calling out what he says is wasteful spending.

Ingoglia said the Manatee County budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 is the most egregious of seven counties and cities his Department of Government Accountability ( DOGE ) has analyzed thus far. “It’s probably the worst that we’ve come across,” Ingoglia said.

Ingoglia added that the Gulf Coast county racked up $112.46 million in “excessive and wasteful spending” during FY 2024-25. He said that estimate includes accounting for necessary increases for public safety.

Ingoglia said the general fund budget in Manatee County has increased by $269.94 million since 20

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