Lawmakers in Tallahassee voted Monday afternoon in favor of the state stepping in to take a look at the city of Daytona Beach’s finances. The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee approved the request from Sen. Tom Wright, who argued that “multiple issues” have surfaced in recent years involving the city’s management of taxpayer dollars. The committee voted unanimously to perform a full audit of the city of Daytona Beach’s spending.The audit will examine both the city’s credit card program and millions of dollars in building permit revenue that Wright believes exceed what state law allows.The vote comes after a series of WESH 2 investigations uncovered questionable credit card spending by city staff and non-employees. Records showed charges for hotels, expensive dinners and cellphones — all violations of city rules. Auditors will also examine millions of dollars in building permit revenue that Wright believes far exceeds what state law allows the city to collect. Wright told the committee the state will likely start its review with permitting fees before shifting to the city’s credit card program, which he said has “recently raised some concerns.”“The last audit Daytona Beach did was 34 years ago,” Wright said, adding that the lack of oversight was a key reason the committee agreed the state needed to step in.Wright was the first person to accuse the city of misusing public funds.”Over the past several years, multiple issues have surfaced regarding the city’s mishandling of public funds,” Wright said.City commissioners offered mixed reactions ahead of the vote. Commissioner Ken Strickland said the city welcomed the review, adding, “We have nothing to hide.”Commissioner Stacy Cantu, who previously raised concerns about possible misspending, said taxpayers “deserve and will benefit from an outside audit.”Wright said that following the Monday vote, he has already spoken with Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingolia, who indicated he will move quickly to launch the audit.The state has not yet released a timeline for when the audit will begin or how long it will take.WESH 2 also reached out to the city of Daytona Beach for comment following the vote, but has not heard back.
Lawmakers in Tallahassee voted Monday afternoon in favor of the state stepping in to take a look at the city of Daytona Beach’s finances.
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee approved the request from Sen. Tom Wright, who argued that “multiple issues” have surfaced in recent years involving the city’s management of taxpayer dollars.
The committee voted unanimously to perform a full audit of the city of Daytona Beach’s spending.
The audit will examine both the city’s credit card program and millions of dollars in building permit revenue that Wright believes exceed what state law allows.
The vote comes after a series of WESH 2 investigations uncovered questionable credit card spending by city staff and non-employees. Records showed charges for hotels, expensive dinners and cellphones — all violations of city rules.
Auditors will also examine millions of dollars in building permit revenue that Wright believes far exceeds what state law allows the city to collect.
Wright told the committee the state will likely start its review with permitting fees before shifting to the city’s credit card program, which he said has “recently raised some concerns.”
“The last audit Daytona Beach did was 34 years ago,” Wright said, adding that the lack of oversight was a key reason the committee agreed the state needed to step in.
Wright was the first person to accuse the city of misusing public funds.
“Over the past several years, multiple issues have surfaced regarding the city’s mishandling of public funds,” Wright said.
City commissioners offered mixed reactions ahead of the vote. Commissioner Ken Strickland said the city welcomed the review, adding, “We have nothing to hide.”
Commissioner Stacy Cantu, who previously raised concerns about possible misspending, said taxpayers “deserve and will benefit from an outside audit.”
Wright said that following the Monday vote, he has already spoken with Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingolia, who indicated he will move quickly to launch the audit.
The state has not yet released a timeline for when the audit will begin or how long it will take.
WESH 2 also reached out to the city of Daytona Beach for comment following the vote, but has not heard back.