Local Government Transparency Bill Pushed by Blaise Ingoglia Lands on DeSantis’s Desk

Local Government Transparency Bill Pushed by Blaise Ingoglia Lands on DeSantis's Desk

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia praised the Florida Legislature for passing a bill establishing requirements for cities and counties to post their budgets and salaries online in an effort to increase transparency.

CFO Ingoglia initially proposed the bill (HB 1329). Rep. Yvette Benarroch (R-Marco Island) sponsored the bill in the House, while Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) sponsored the legislation in the Senate.

"As Chief Financial Officer, I have made it my mission to provide real transparency into local governments' spending, so Floridians know exactly what their tax dollars go towards. For far too long, local governments have benefited from ambiguity and their inaccessibility in their spending habits," Ingoglia said. "Not anymore."

"Now local governments will be required to make budgets more accessible and identify areas in which spending can be reduced. The days of unchecked spending are over. Taxpayers deserve nothing less," Ingoglia added.

HB 1329 would require a county or municipality to post its budget for the next fiscal year and extend the posting from two to five days before a public hearing to adopt the budget. A final budget must also remain publicly viewable for five years, up from the previous two.

In addition, budget amendments must be posted five days before a hearing for adoption.

"Local governments should provide the taxpayers with as much transparency into their budget process as possible. Through this legislation, we are making it easier for the taxpayers to see exactly where their taxpayer funds are going," DiCeglie said in a statement. "Thank you, CFO Ingoglia, for your work to bring accountability and transparency to local government budgets."

HB 1329 increases accessibility by posting budgets in a portable document format with a budget overview and summary, including an analysis featuring graphical illustrations to pinpoint major points of emphasis and trends.

For further stewardship, the bill requires county and municipal budget officers to publicly identify specific cuts totaling 10% of the tentative budget without jeopardizing police and fire services 14 days before the final budget is adopted. It also mandates local governments to publish a quarterly summary of compensation for all employees of the county.

"Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability when it comes to how their money is spent. As an elected official, that is one of my most important responsibilities," Benarroch said in a statement. "I appreciate CFO Ingoglia for leading on this issue and for his partnership in moving this legislation through the process."

If signed by Gov. DeSantis into law, HB 1329 would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.