CFO Blaise Ingoglia to Speak at Alachua's Key Republican Fundraiser

CFO Blaise Ingoglia to Speak at Alachua's Key Republican Fundraiser

On September 25, the Alachua County Republican Party will host its annual Ronald Reagan Black Tie and Blue Jeans BBQ Fundraiser at the Legacy Multipurpose Center in Alachua. This marks the 23rd annual showcase event for conservatives in north central Florida. Among the confirmed speakers is Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia, who has gained attention for his proactive efforts with the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiatives since stepping into his role in July.

Ingoglia, a former Florida State Senator, was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to his current position following the election of former CFO Jimmy Patronis to the U.S. House. He has wasted no time making his mark, recently conducting audits of both the City of Gainesville and Alachua County. With plans to run for the CFO position again in 2026, Ingoglia is positioning himself as a key player in state politics, especially as he aligns himself with DeSantis’ goals.

Subpoenas and Accountability

In a recent development, CFO Ingoglia has issued investigative subpoenas to Orange County related to an ongoing DOGE audit that scrutinizes local spending. This announcement was made during a press conference with Governor DeSantis, who emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in government operations. Ingoglia pointedly noted that changes in file names indicated an intention to conceal expenditures related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, stating that it appeared county employees may have been reading from a script when questioned about the audits. An email search regarding six DEI grants yielded no results, raising serious questions about the handling of tax dollars in Orange County.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings countered these allegations, insisting that the county had fully cooperated and that no direction was given to employees to alter or hide documents. He reaffirmed that no employees were instructed to craft scripted responses, which further complicates the narrative brought forth by Ingoglia and DeSantis. According to Ingoglia, the situation calls for a thorough investigation as the subpoenas demand the cooperation of county employees in providing all necessary documents related to the spending in question. He warned other cities and counties in Florida to treat these subpoenas with utmost seriousness.

Taxpayer Concerns and Spending Practices

Underlying the need for these subpoenas is a significant increase in property tax collections in Orange County, which have risen by over $330 million—essentially 52%—since the fiscal year 2019-2020. Additionally, county expenditures surged from over $1 billion to a staggering $1.6 billion during the same timeframe, reflecting a budget increase of over $559 million (54%). The county’s population has grown by approximately 10%, but questions loom about whether this growth justifies the explosive rise in spending—especially in light of the political push for tight fiscal control spearheaded by Governor DeSantis and Ingoglia.

Importantly, the county has earmarked $322,000 for a „disparity study“ to bolster its DEI initiatives, raising eyebrows among those advocating for more judicious fiscal oversight. The DOGE, which DeSantis launched in February 2025, is aimed at ensuring government efficiency and accountability, making the scrutiny of Orange County’s spending all the more critical.

As the Black Tie and Blue Jeans BBQ approaches, the themes of accountability and transparency will surely resonate with attendees. With prominent speakers scheduled to include Congresswoman Kat Cammack and Congressman Byron Donalds, the spotlight on fiscal responsibility in Florida politics is set to shine brighter than ever.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at www.alachuarepublicans.com/tickets.