MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia announced today that over $112 million is being “excessively and wastefully spent” in the Manatee County Budget, triggering a strong call for the county to immediately change its spending habits and offer substantial property tax relief to residents.
CFO Ingoglia’s announcement follows an analysis revealing that the county’s General Fund Budget has ballooned by 69%, or over $268 million, since Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-2020.
This increase, he noted, far outpaces population growth, amounting to an increase of $4,369 for every new person who moved to the county during that time.
RELATED: $940 Million In ‘Waste’: Florida CFO Slams Local Governments, Demands Massive Property Tax Relief
“Local governments have consistently proven how irresponsible they are with taxpayer dollars,” said CFO Ingoglia. “Property tax relief is needed to ensure that residents can thrive in their homes and communities. Manatee County… should focus on reducing the burden on taxpayers. Residents are asking for property tax relief and local governments need to deliver.”
The CFO claims Manatee County could reduce its millage rate by 1.09 mills without impacting essential services. This reduction would translate into significant savings for homeowners:
- A home with a taxable value of $400,000 could save $436 per year.
- A home with a taxable value of $600,000 could save $655 per year.
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