Rick Outzen August 4, 2025 1 Comment
State Rep. Michelle Salzman has asked Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia to audit Escambia County, paying close attention to the Escambia Children’s Trust and the Escambia County School Board.
- This may be the first time a state lawmaker has injected themselves into a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) county or city audit.
Why Target the Trust?
In the past, Rep. Salzman has been critical of the Trust. She was upset that the board didn’t fund a request by Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons in December 2022, noting her concerns in a letter demanding former School Superintendent Tim Smith’s resignation in the spring of 2023.
However, those who have questions about the Trust and the effectiveness of its grants shouldn’t think Salzman wants DOGE to look into the grants, such as Urban City Development.
It’s more likely to focus on Mayor D.C. Reeves’ demand letter for $2.4 million from the Trust for his yet-to-be-determined solution to the city’s childcare crisis. The funds are the CRA dollars that the Trust has collected. The Trust has already entered into an interlocal agreement with Escambia County for its CRA dollars going toward youth programs.
- Salzman has often credited Reeves for helping win her first Florida House election.
Why Public Schools?
Last week, the Escambia County School Board voted to approve a 1.5 mill increase, making the total proposed millage rate 4.644 mills, which is 15.4% greater than the rollback rate that would generate the same funding as last fiscal year.
- The district says enrollment is down by about 4,200 students over the past five years, with much of that drop because of school vouchers. Both negatively affected funding from the Florida Department of Education, since state funding is based on the student count.
The increase passed 4-1, with District 1 member Kevin Adams casting the lone dissenting vote. “I told my constituents, if you support the half-cent sales tax, I will never raise your property taxes.”…