Cape Coral releases 342 DOGE audit documents for residents to review

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)— Cape Coral released every document sent to the state as part of a DOGE audit, but the city has yet to hear back.

The city submitted all the records requested by the June 25 deadline. In an effort to be transparent, the city released all these documents for taxpayers to look through.

The webpage lists 342 multi-page documents. Some community members say the release doesn't feel very transparent.

Kenneth Smiller, who lives in Cape Coral, wants to know where his money is going.

"It's our taxpayer dollars to get the most for our money, or have a good justification of why they use that vendor," Smiller said.

Smiller supports DOGE, looking into Cape Coral's financial records.

"I think they do a fairly decent job in public safety," Smiller said. "Maybe some more programs to help the homeless and to feed the people that need Meals on Wheels and that kind of stuff. I'd have no problem with tax dollars doing that."

On May 26, DOGE requested all records related to contracts, staffing, technology spending, construction permits, software subscriptions, purchasing records, and other city operations. That information is now available to the public.

Jorge Sanchez, who lives in Cape Coral, said the release helps residents stay informed.

"I don't come to the meetings and things like that. But you know, I'm not aware of the situation, so it helps. It really helps. Public exposure, I think, is a plus for everybody," Sanchez said.

The city said this is not a data dump. This is the second year DOGE has requested financial information from the municipality.

Releasing these documents is a way for neighbors to answer their questions related to city purchases.

Bill Prysi, a Cape Coral neighbor, said he focuses on what matters to him.

"I tend to only look into the documents that are relevant to my life. I think that's typical to most people," Prysi said.

Cape Coral said that since submitting the documents in June, the city has not heard back from DOGE. Any response from the state will be made public.

"I hope the audit comes back and identifies those shortfalls, and then I hope there's accountability," Smiller said.

The city said officials are not concerned about the audit because they have all the required documentation to send to DOGE.