By james art 
Hialeah has become the first city in Florida In order to submit its Budget for review by the State Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), an entity created to evaluate and optimize the use of public funds.
The decision to voluntary participation in this state audit was officially announced at a press conference that Tuesday, led by the mayor Esbano And the chairman of the City Council Jacqueline Garcia-Resce, who will temporarily take over the mayor’s office when Bovo moves to Washington to take a new position.
Transparency commitment
“Hyaliata City welcomes the State Verification Program. Hialeah has its own efficiency program for a long time”The mayor stated, emphasizing that the city was always strict in the use of public resources.
“We have created transparency protocols so that every penny that enters this city is reported,” he added.
Bovo insisted that the city had not increased taxes for its residents after 13 years, although it worked with a strict budget.
“The city funds its services with revenue and what residents can pay. We are the city with the most taxes in Florida,” She said.
In this respect, he stressed that every dollar was invested in key areas such as security, recreation and infrastructure.
“More police officers, more firefighters, improvements to parks and streets. No advisor or mayor travel with accompanying,” he said.
The Hialeah budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 amounts to $ 574 million, which is an increase of 34.7% compared to the previous year.
However, an increase, Bovo emphasized that “This is a city that has always been managed by sharpening a pencil. There is no waste.”
Cooperation without fear
Hialeah’s decision is referred to as Governor’s call to voluntarily participate in the audit process under the dose.
“We are working with Florida legislation to obtain more prescribed powers to hold audits of these local authorities,” the governor expressed in an X.
Although some critics have expressed concern about the potential loss of autonomy for local authorities in connection with the state, BOVO has remained confident.
“If the state intervenes and says that a program should be cut, it will have to show the Council and me what the solution and the alternative will be. We are open to analysis,” he said.
In the same way, He denied that this review is a risk to municipal services or employees.
“I do not believe that today we offer a service that we can do without being able to do,” he said.
And he added: “Given its size, hyalia should have about 2,400 employees like Orlando, but we only have 1400. In historically, we do more with less here.”
Support from the Council and General Goals
Council Chairman Jacqueline Garcia-Resce presented a resolution sponsored by the mayor to formalize cooperation with the Doga.
“We invite the state to audit our finances. Tonight I will present a resolution with the mayor, offering voluntarily accepting the audit,” he said.
The state government’s goal is clear: “Let’s continue to optimize our government and to continue to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy,” according to Tannis. The model follows the example of billionaire Elon Musk, who promotes federal efforts to reduce public spending.
Under control
However, the decision was not criticized.
Political analyst Alex Penellas said that “this is probably the most refining city in Florida,” and warned the risk of this transfer of the power of the state: “This is part of a model we have been watching for several years when the state gradually takes power from local authorities.”
In the same critical vein, Brian KalvoThe only current candidate for the mayor, designated the approach to the Doga as a political maneuver.
“The mayor and the City Council have just automatically approved a pension, a retirement plan and a deferred retroactive compensation of 2021,” he denied.
“If you want ideas, here’s one: remove pension and retirement benefits for advisers,” he said.
In response to these accusations, Bovo did not deny the challenges of his administration, but he confirmed that his commitment was for efficiency and transparency.
“If they can show us a better way to do it, we are open to apply it,” he assured.
Specific Challenges: Water and Life Costs
During the conference, the BOVO turned to sensitive topics such as the high cost of insurance and the situation with respect to the reverse osmosis plant that Hialeah shares with Miami-Dad County.
The plant is currently producing 8.5 million gallons a day, while the city requires 23 million. In addition, the production price is double the price that would cost to buy water from the county.
“We have a facility that the state considers it necessary. The county and hyalia have collaborated to build it. Now the county says it is no longer needed. We have invested millions and we have a duty. I believe the state can help us evaluate the situation and maybe take on this debt,” he suggested.