Rules Committee approves resolution asking state efficiency team to review city finances; vote 5-2

The Rules Committee on May 5 voted 5–2 to approve a resolution asking the Governor’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to conduct a voluntary financial review of Jacksonville’s budget and capital program.

Councilman Terrence Freeman, who introduced the resolution, told the committee the measure requests a voluntary audit from the state group established by executive order 25-44 to identify inefficiencies. “This resolution simply is requesting a voluntary financial audit of the city of Jacksonville by DOGE,” Freeman said during debate.

Supporters said the DOGE review would add an independent set of eyes and could reveal opportunities to reallocate funds to city priorities. Council members who backed the resolution noted prior local reviews that identified projects with unspent appropriations and argued the review would return recommendations to the council rather than impose actions.

Opponents questioned the need for a state-level review of an office that already has independent auditors and an inspector general. Councilman Matt Carlucci said he was reluctant to invite another layer of review, calling it an unnecessary encroachment on local authority and expressing confidence in the council’s auditors. “There are no better auditors that we have, anywhere, than our own city council auditors,” he said.

The committee adopted an amendment directing the Chief of Legislative Services to forward the adopted resolution to the governor’s DOGE team. After discussion the committee voted 5 in favor and 2 opposed; the resolution passed and will be transmitted as directed.

Ending: The measure is voluntary and returns recommendations to local officials; supporters framed it as a nonpartisan effort to identify possible savings, while opponents cited home-rule and redundancy concerns.