ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – State auditors are set to visit the Orange County Administration Building on Tuesday to conduct an on-site inspection of the county’s financial records, specifically focusing on expenses for diversity initiatives and a new multicultural center.
This audit comes after a letter was sent to Mayor Jerry Demings on July 24 by the Florida Department of Government Efficiency, raising concerns about rising county expenditures. The letter informed the county that auditors from the department, known as “Florida DOGE,” would perform a two-day audit on August 5 and 6.
“We are ready for the state’s Department of Government Efficiency to examine all our processes,” Demings shared with News 6 on Monday. “Our staff has already begun gathering the requested documents.”
[VIDEO: Florida DOGE demands records, access in Orange County government audit]
According to Demings, some of the requests appear to be part of a broader, statewide effort.
“In some ways, it seems like they are singling out Orange County, and in other ways, it aligns with their actions statewide,” he added.
The state’s correspondence seeks to review spending associated with the county’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and the building costs for a new multicultural center.
When asked if he believed that the state’s scrutiny of DEI spending had a political motive, Demings replied, “It’s difficult to determine, but it’s clear they are concerned about programs related to diversity, equality, and inclusion.”
[VIDEO: New Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia defends DOGE, ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ and home insurance costs]
In addition to the audit, the mayor is facing pushback over a newly signed agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The agreement requires Orange County corrections officers to transport certain detainees to federal immigration facilities, including one known as “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades.
The decision follows weeks of public debate and a warning from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier that local officials could face removal from office for noncompliance.
“Would it make sense for them to have their entire elected body removed from office and the governor insert whoever he wants to put in that position? The threat of removal was real,” Demings said when asked about the agreement.
On Monday evening, protesters gathered outside the county administration building to speak out against the ICE agreement. Among them was State Rep. Anna Eskamani, who said the mayor was not legally required to sign the deal.
“There’s definitely no law that requires you to facilitate transportation of detainees,” Eskamani said. “What Orange County needs to do is file a lawsuit.”
News 6 has contacted the state for clarification on when auditors plan to arrive and whether they’ve received any of the requested documents. As of Monday evening, no response had been received.
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