Key Highlights
- Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Blaise Ingoglia, has publicly accused the City of Miami of having a “bloated” budget, claiming it has overspent by approximately $94 million.
- The accusation is part of a broader campaign by Ingoglia to promote a 2026 constitutional amendment aimed at completely eliminating property taxes in Florida.
- The CFO’s comments have ignited a fierce debate, drawing sharp responses from Miami’s mayoral candidates and current city officials who are defending their fiscal management.
- This controversy raises critical questions for residents about the future of essential city services—such as parks, public safety, and infrastructure—if property taxes, a primary source of local funding, were to be abolished.
State CFO Accuses Miami of Fiscal Mismanagement
A political storm is brewing in Miami after Florida’s CFO, Blaise Ingoglia, delivered scathing remarks on Thursday, labeling the city’s budget as “bloated.” At a news conference, Ingoglia asserted that after accounting for inflation and population growth, Miami had “blew” past its appropriate spending limit by $94 million, citing a general overspending problem in government.
This accusation comes as Ingoglia champions a potential 2026 constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes statewide, a move that would be unprecedented in the United States. While he assured that “there is still going to be money for parks” and other essential services, the CFO has yet to present a detailed audit justifying the $94 million figure, stating a comprehensive report will be released later.
A Political Battleground Emerges
Ingoglia’s claims have thrust the city’s fiscal health into the spotlight, forcing Miami’s mayoral candidates to take a stand. The responses reveal a deep divide on the issue.
Some See Waste, Others See State Overreach
Former city manager Emilio Gonzalez echoed the sentiment of fiscal tightening, stating, “Let’s be bold and let’s aim high. Let’s give our residents back some of the money that they need.” Similarly, Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins blamed “chaos and corruption” for costing taxpayers more while delivering fewer services.
However, former Miami Commissioner Ken Russell, while acknowledging “waste in the city of Miami budget,” staunchly opposed the state’s intervention. “This is not the business of the State of Florida and DeSantis’ DOGE team,” Russell declared, arguing that local officials should be held accountable by their residents, not by Tallahassee.
City Officials Mount a Strong Defense
The City of Miami and its leadership have forcefully pushed back against the CFO’s allegations, calling them misleading and incomplete.
An ‘Incomplete’ and ‘Shortsighted’ Analysis
In an official statement, the city argued that Ingoglia’s analysis fails to consider Miami’s unique position as an urban core that provides services to thousands of non-resident workers, tourists, and government agencies. “A formula applied to a suburban or rural city would never reasonably apply to a city that inherently is as complex and unique as the City of Miami,” the statement read.
Mayor Suarez Points to State’s Own Budget Growth
Outgoing Mayor Francis Suarez vehemently denied the overspending claims, highlighting his administration’s fiscal discipline. He pointed to measures that saved over $100 million in labor costs and resulted in the lowest property tax rate (millage rate) in the city’s history.
In a sharp rebuttal, Suarez contrasted Miami’s actions with the state’s own finances. “The state’s budget has grown from $92 billion in FY 2020–21 to $117 billion in FY 2025–26, a $25 billion increase, or nearly 25 percent growth in five years,” he said. “Miami isn’t overspending, we’re leading by example.”
As this high-stakes debate unfolds, residents are left to weigh the promise of lower taxes against the potential loss of the vital services that define their community.
Image Referance: https://www.local10.com/news/local/2025/10/23/bloated-budget-in-miami-mayoral-candidates-respond-to-state-cfos-comments/