Florida DOGE reviewing Cape Coral, requests years of financial and operational records

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Florida DOGE is requesting years of financial and operational records from the City of Cape Coral as part of a review of local government information.

A five-page letter obtained by WINK News shows Florida DOGE is seeking records related to contracts, staffing, technology spending, construction permits, software subscriptions, purchasing records and other city operations.

According to the letter, the review is being conducted in partnership with the Governor's Office of Policy and Budget.

"The Florida DOGE team, in partnership with the Office of Policy and Budget, is conducting a review of local government financial and personnel information in local governments across the State of Florida," the letter states. "We are continuing to carry out Governor DeSantis's mission of making state and local government efficient and effective, and promoting good stewardship of taxpayer resources."

The request includes information on contracts, vendors, change orders, purchase orders, personnel data, technology spending and construction permits dating back multiple fiscal years.

The City of Cape Coral confirmed it received the request on May 26.

"The City of Cape Coral received a DOGE Request for Information on May 26, 2026 and is actively working with FL DOGE staff to provide the requested information," the city said in a statement.

The review comes months after state lawmakers requested an audit of Cape Coral's building department.

Late last year, Cape Coral Representative Mike Giallombardo helped push for that audit after raising concerns about how building department funds were being used.

Giallombardo alleged the city used building department money to cover hurricane overtime, fire department expenses, payroll for scanning clerks, a failed $10 million building purchase and nearly $3 million in unexplained fund transfers.

Last week, while discussing Florida's proposed property tax changes and the debate over local government spending, Giallombardo pointed to Cape Coral as an example.

"My constituents were showing me evidence of this, so we did what we had to do and just got the state involved to oversee some of it, and that's just one example of wasteful spending, right?" Giallombardo told WINK News.

Cape Coral Councilwoman Jennifer Nelson-Lastra said she welcomes both the building department audit and the DOGE review.

"I am very excited that we have Doge happening right now. Let's say we get DOGE, and there aren't any opportunities, and everything looks good, and everything is by the book and transparent. Then again, we still have accountability, right? So, I feel like either way, it's a win-win," Nelson-Lastra told WINK News.

Nelson-Lastra said she believes the review provides an opportunity to identify any areas where the city can improve.

WINK News also reached out to Lee County and the City of Fort Myers. Both said they have not recently received similar requests from Florida DOGE.

While there is no indication that the review is connected to Florida's proposed property tax amendment, it comes as state leaders continue debating whether local governments are being good stewards of taxpayer money.