Mayor Deegan issued the following statement in response to the letter:
 
“We go to great lengths to protect the integrity and safety of our network. As such, we require every external auditor to complete a standard one-page form to request access to our sensitive and sophisticated financial systems. We respect Florida DOGE's desire to gain access. All we ask is that they follow our well-established procedures, which are protected under the very state statute that they cited. Security should never be politicized.”
 
The City of Jacksonville already conducts self-imposed audits each year on top of what Florida DOGE is mandating, and this is part of the standard process for external auditors to gain access. Chapter 2025(199), Section 124 of Florida law states that Office of Policy and Budget personnel can be granted access to the City's "data systems and related data, subject to appropriate security considerations."
 
Last week, Florida DOGE notified the City of Jacksonville about the site visit, and the Mayor’s Office issued this statement about the city’s financial success. Since then, hundreds of staff hours have been spent on short notice in the middle of our annual budget review to prepare.​