State Rep. Michelle Salzman has asked Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia to audit Escambia County, paying close attention to the Escambia Children’s Trust and the Escambia County School Board.
- This may be the first time a state lawmaker has injected themselves into a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) county or city audit.
Why Target the Trust?
In the past, Rep. Salzman has been critical of the Trust. She was upset that the board didn’t fund a request by Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons in December 2022, noting her concerns in a letter demanding former School Superintendent Tim Smith’s resignation in the spring of 2023.
However, those who have questions about the Trust and the effectiveness of its grants shouldn’t think Salzman wants DOGE to look into the grants, such as Urban City Development.
It’s more likely to focus on Mayor D.C. Reeves’ demand letter for $2.4 million from the Trust for his yet-to-be-determined solution to the city’s childcare crisis. The funds are the CRA dollars that the Trust has collected. The Trust has already entered into an interlocal agreement with Escambia County for its CRA dollars going toward youth programs.
- Salzman has often credited Reeves for helping win her first Florida House election.
Why Public Schools?
Last week, the Escambia County School Board voted to approve a 1.5 mill increase for capital outlay, making the total proposed millage rate 5.359 mills, which is 15.4% greater than the rollback rate that would generate the same funding as last fiscal year.
- The district says enrollment is down by about 4,200 students over the past five years, with much of that drop because of school vouchers. Both negatively affected funding from the Florida Department of Education, since state funding is based on the student count.
The increase passed 4-1, with District 1 member Kevin Adams casting the lone dissenting vote. “I told my constituents, if you support the half-cent sales tax, I will never raise your property taxes.”
On her Facebook page on Sunday afternoon, Salzman wrote:
“As your state representative, I’ve been working hard in Tallahassee to cut taxes and ease the burden on hardworking families. That’s why I’m disappointed to see our local school board move in the opposite direction by raising property taxes while we are working to eliminate them.
At a time when inflation and cost of living are already straining household budgets, we should be looking for ways to do more with less, not asking families to pay more.”
Irony
With Rep. Salzman, there is always an act that is the opposite of her public position.
Her Facebook post led with “Yesterday, while with our Attorney General, AG James Uthmeier and CFO, Blaise Ingoglia, we discussed an audit of Escambia County,…”
- On Saturday, Salzman was with Uthmeier and Ingoglia at the Florida Freedom Forum and Red Florida Dinner, held by the Republican Party of Florida at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. Her trip was likely paid by one of her two PACs.
Her PACs and official campaign account have spent $156,268 since the November election, and Salzman doesn’t have an opponent.
- On Facebook, she wrote, “At a time when inflation and cost of living are already straining household budgets, we should be looking for ways to do more with less, not asking families to pay more.”
Facebook Post:
What Should DOGE Audit?
Two issues come to mind.
How much did Escambia County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger’s cancellation of the Pensacola Beach Changing Station and the design work on a decorative arch cost the taxpayers?
How much did Escambia County Clerk Pam Childers spend on her Office of Independent Internal Audit?