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Hillsborough County efficiency panel to draft local findings after state report delay
Summary
Facing a delayed state audit, the Hillsborough County Government Efficiency Liaison Committee agreed to produce its own findings report, schedule a public workshop on Feb. 9 to draft recommendations, and request risk-assessment files and contract audits (including adult day centers and homeless-services contracts) for follow-up.
The Hillsborough County Government Efficiency Liaison Committee decided to move forward with a local findings report after county members said they had not received the state 'Doge' team report on schedule. "We've not received any update, communication, anything from the state on their Doge team report," Speaker 1 told the panel, noting the state missed a previously announced deadline "the thirteenth."
Why it matters: Members said the lack of a state report leaves a public expectation of oversight. Committee members proposed a tiered local report — listing what is clearly supported by documents, what needs follow-up, and recommended best practices for county operations — and planned a public workshop to produce a single presentation for the Board of County Commissioners.
What the committee will do: Members agreed they can prepare and present local findings even without the state report. Speaker 5 recommended a cautious, tiered approach: "This is what we're very certain of and this is what's questionable. We would need additional information." The group asked staff to pull existing risk-assessment files and audit reports and scheduled a working meeting for Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. to draft the report ahead of Commission meeting dates discussed for Feb. 18 or March 4.
Targeted follow-up and audits: Several members urged targeted spot checks of contracts and recipients to address concerns raised by high-profile fraud reports elsewhere. "We have 18 of [adult day centers] operating in Hillsborough County," Speaker 6 said, suggesting the committee or staff run sample checks to confirm recipients and services. Audit staff described the county’s risk-assessment process (an annual kickoff, department surveys and a 1–5 scoring system) and offered to provide the committee's risk files and existing clerk audit reports to inform follow-up work.
Scope and legal limits: County staff underscored the committee's current authorization is to work with county staff in responding to the state process and cautioned against making unsubstantiated allegations to the Commission. Legal counsel reminded members that any workshop or working meeting must be publicly noticed, produce minutes and allow public comment under the Sunshine Law. "There do need to be minutes," counsel said, and reiterated public-notice requirements for committee meetings.
Next steps and logistics: Staff agreed to collect and circulate relevant audit and risk-assessment documents and to help members regain access to the county contract database. The committee will meet in public on Feb. 9 to draft the presentation; members said they will bring sections or findings to combine into a PowerPoint for the Commission.
Closing: The meeting concluded after the group set the Feb. 9 working session and assigned staff follow-ups; a motion to adjourn passed with multiple "Aye" votes.
