The team of approximately eight auditors from the state’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is expected to complete its two-day review of municipal operations by mid-afternoon, Mayor D.C. Reeves confirmed during his Tuesday press conference.
What’s Being Examined
According to Mayor Reeves, the DOGE team is requesting information consistent with audits being conducted statewide, focusing on several key areas:
- Human resources and salary structures – comparing municipal salaries to community averages
- DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs and mandates
- Sustainability and environmental initiatives, including solar programs
- Procurement processes and spending patterns
- Per capita spending compared to state benchmarks
“The vast majority of the questions are the exact same questions being asked in every city, in every county,” Reeves said. “I think there’s a perception that there was some type of legwork done on all of these issues, uniquely to Pensacola. The Green New Deal, the Solar, the DEI, the procurement, the salary type of questions are all very consistent with what’s happening around the state.”
City officials have cooperated with the audit team, providing requested documents and maintaining open communication. The mayor said, “All we can do is answer any questions that they have, be as open as possible about anything we have not stood in their way or take an issue or been adverse or protested any requests.”
The mayor described the interactions as “cordial” and “professional,” with city staff meeting every information request.
- “We have the utmost security in the fact that we are good stewards of the taxpayer dollar,” Reeves stated, expressing confidence in the city’s financial practices and noting its bond rating and clean annual audit history.
The mayor participated in a recent conference call with other Republican mayors to discuss the DOGE process, where state officials outlined benchmarks they’re using to evaluate municipal operations. State Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia has been leading these reviews across multiple jurisdictions.
What’s Next
The DOGE team indicated this is part of an ongoing statewide review process. “They had spelled that out in our city, in every city or county that they’ve been to that they’ll go back and digest whatever information and potentially be asking for more information from us,” Reeves explained.
The mayor stressed that regardless of the outcome, the city remains committed to transparent governance and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.