While commissioners approved a resolution supporting state government efficiency efforts, they are still working on official Hernando County policy.
Commissioners at the regular Board meeting on April 8, took another look at what the Hernando County Department of Government Efficiency (HC-DOGE) should look like.
Commissioner Ryan Amsler originally brought the idea before the board at the February 25 meeting, where it was decided that the details still need to be worked out.
The matter will return to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) with further revisions at the April 22 meeting.
Now, after Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an Executive Order (EO 2025-44), the Commissioners are still trying to assemble the County’s DOGE initiative. Amsler will be bringing the matter back before the board after incorporating several elements introduced at the April 8 meeting.
The EO in part states, “State and Local governments should be effective, efficient, transparent and responsive and should be held accountable …” for the mission of the State Executive Office of the Government DOGE (EOG DOGE) team.
Commissioners are still considering how a Citizens’ Committee and possible subcommittees would be formed and managed, and if there should be limits on the number of people on committees, and if individuals qualify to scrutinize the County’s books.
This second draft, presented by Amsler, removed payments to the committee and a selection process by the BOCC. The new version suggests that the County advertise for citizens to apply, with 18-25 citizens chosen randomly.
County Administrator Jeff Rogers also questioned if HC-DOGE would be a matter of policy or an Ordinance. However, County Attorney Jon Jouben said either would need to adhere to Florida’s Sunshine Law. This essentially means that members of the committee would only be able to discuss DOGE matters in a public forum.
Chairman Brian Hawkins recommended that rules for the potential committee capture the strategic plan of the county.
Commissioner John Allocco’s only concern about the Sunshine law is that DOGE would become another bureaucracy. “I’m all for DOGE. I want people looking at [the budget], my concern about this, unfortunately, I think because of the fact that they would have to comply with Sunshine, I think it’s going to become basically bureaucratic, very slow and ineffective.”
Even though the chosen committee would not be comprised of elected officials, violations of the Sunshine laws would still carry penalties, such as fines and official convictions.
Commissioner Jerry Campbell agreed and commended Amsler for the initiative; however, he is looking for a simpler way of involving the citizen-led review. “If you’re going to call something DOGE, then put something in there that’s going to make it inefficient, [it’s] contrary to the intent.” Campbell’s recommendation is that any Hernando County resident can speak at the BOCC meeting regarding their concerns and ideas regarding the County’s spending. “The simpler, the better.”
Part of Amsler’s original plan was to sunset the committee in 2026. Campbell would like to see a perpetual committee looking into the County’s budgets. “It should be an ever-evolving thing … the government tries to get out of whack really quick, so let’s keep this thing going for as long as possible.”
