CFO Blaise Ingoglia criticizes City of Miami for over ninety-four million dollars in excessive and wasteful spending

Miami, Florida – The City of Miami’s latest budget has come under scrutiny as Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia called out what he describes as “excessive, wasteful spending” exceeding $94 million beyond what would account for population growth and inflation. Speaking to the press on Monday, Ingoglia urged city leaders to heed the concerns of taxpayers and implement reforms to reduce financial burdens on residents.

“Due to local government’s fiscal irresponsibly, a financial burden has been placed on the shoulders of the taxpayers. This burden must be rectified, and local governments must take steps to provide property tax relief to residents. Uncovering the reckless spending of the City of Miami is step one to ensure that voters can hold local bureaucrats and career politicians accountable,” Ingoglia said.

The CFO’s criticism comes amid a period of rapid budget growth. The General Fund Budget of Miami has surged by over $358 million since Fiscal Year 2019-2020, representing a 44.29% increase. According to Ingoglia, much of this increase is unrelated to population growth or the rising costs of goods and services, leaving taxpayers with the brunt of the excess.

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Since 2020, Miami’s population has grown by an estimated 23,379 residents. Yet, Ingoglia’s analysis indicates that for each new resident, the city’s budget has increased by approximately $15,320, equating to $61,280 for a family of four. These figures, he argues, point to inefficient fiscal management and unnecessary expenditures that could be curtailed without affecting essential services.

“Without impacting any of the services provided to taxpayers, the city can reduce its millage rate by 0.50 mills,” the CFO noted. He highlighted the tangible savings homeowners could experience with such a reduction:

• Taxable home value of $400,000 would save $201 per year
• Taxable home value of $500,000 would save $251 per year
• Taxable home value of $600,000 would save $301 per year

The call for accountability has garnered support from community and advocacy groups. David Santiago, Strategic Director of LIBRE-Florida, emphasized the impact of government spending on families: “The families that live in Miami have had enough of their government taking their hard-earned money while continuing to spend it wastefully. Florida has long been a state that has put families first, and it is time for Miami to take the necessary steps to ensure that we remain a family-friendly place to live.”

Similarly, Rachel Moscoso, Deputy State Director of Americans for Prosperity, praised Ingoglia’s efforts. “Ensuring that Floridians are able to live the American dream is exactly why we must see change in our local government spending habits. We are thankful for CFO Ingoglia’s work to expose wasteful spending and to fight for lower property taxes for Floridians.”

Small business owners have also expressed concern over rising taxes. Thomas Conway, who owns a local business, said, “Over the last 10 years property taxes have increased by 100%. As a small business owner, we have seen a clear correlation between the increase in property taxes and the decrease in discretionary spending. Our local government has siphoned and wasted away the precious dollars our customers need to keep our businesses open. I am immensely grateful to CFO Ingoglia for recognizing this abuse and fighting on behalf of small businesses to make Florida an affordable place to live and work.”

Ingoglia’s review of municipal budgets is not limited to Miami. Across eight local governments in Florida, he identified more than $1.1 billion in excessive or wasteful spending in the FY 2024-2025 General Fund Budgets. He plans to continue highlighting fiscal mismanagement throughout the state as part of his responsibilities as Florida’s CFO.

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The announcement underscores growing concerns about how local governments balance public services with fiscal responsibility. Advocates for reform argue that excessive spending strains taxpayers, drives up property taxes, and impacts families and businesses alike. By calling attention to these issues, Ingoglia hopes to spur meaningful change in Miami’s financial practices, while also setting an example for other municipalities in Florida.

“Taxpayers deserve transparency, accountability, and relief from unnecessary financial burdens,” Ingoglia said. “This is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet — it’s about protecting families, supporting small businesses, and ensuring that local governments serve the public responsibly.”

As Miami’s budget discussions continue, residents and policymakers alike will be watching closely to see whether steps are taken to rein in spending, reduce property taxes, and implement reforms that align fiscal planning with the city’s growing population and evolving needs.

The debate over Miami’s budget highlights a larger conversation about responsible governance, the role of oversight, and the importance of ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently — a conversation that CFO Ingoglia is determined to keep at the forefront.