Ocala prepares for possible state efficiency audit

Ocala City Councilman Ire Bethea listens during a meeting in February. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

At the Aug. 19 Ocala City Council meeting, council member Ire J. Bethea Sr. made a comment about a potential visit from the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), urging the city to prepare for a possible audit. Fresh from a Florida League of Cities conference, Bethea shared that there was one session where DOGE was discussed.

“The bottom line is, on this DOGE thing, everything that I got out of the session, and I think (City Manager Pete) Lee walked in on the session as well, is that they will be coming around,” Bethea said, referencing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recently created task force’s audit in Orlando.

Bethea recommended that the city conduct a self-audit to ensure compliance with DOGE’s priorities.

“I would like to suggest that we make sure we are on top of everything,” he said, noting that relevant details are available on the DOGE website.

Lee echoed the sentiment, stating his preference in having Ocala’s internal city auditor, Randall Bridgeman, self-audit in preparation for DOGE’s arrival.

“We want to have Mr. Bridgeman kind of self-audit against what DOGE is most interested in,” Lee said.

Greg Davis, Ocala’s public information officer, clarified, however, that no DOGE visit is currently scheduled.

“When council member Bethea mentioned DOGE, the comment was meant as a generalization since DOGE has been visiting institutions and municipalities across the state,” Davis said.