BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A local-level Department of Government Efficiency may soon be forming in Hernando County.

The idea was brought forward during the most recent Board of County Commissioners meeting by District 1 Commissioner Ryan Amsler. 

What You Need To Know

  • Hernando County is discussing the possibility of forming its own local Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE

  • The idea was brought forth in front of Hernando County's Board of Commissioners earlier this week
  • Commissioner Ryan Amsler for District 1 proposed the idea, saying citizens would lead the delegation
  • Amsler says he will work with the county to write up a new draft that he plans to have done in the next month

Government efficiency — specifically the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, currently led by billionaire Elon Musk at the federal level — has been leading national headlines in recent weeks.

“I want to make Hernando County great and I think one of the ways to get there is a local DOGE,” Amsler said.

“See how we can do things more efficiently, find better ways to do it, and hopefully save a little money in the process, or a lot of money in the process, right?” he added.

The idea is still in the early stages, having only been introduced just this week. But Amsler said he is working on a proposal, starting with the idea of having citizens lead the delegation.

“Maybe we have an electrician. Maybe we have a stay-at-home mom who has experience that’s useful. We have professionals,” said Amsler. “I’d love for it to have people come forward and take the time. Maybe financial analysts or accountants or engineers. I want a spectrum there to represent the people and get the community’s buy-in.”

Amsler said taking a look at all areas of the local government would be beneficial in helping Hernando County grow.

“I have some concerns with how we’re doing some of our purchasing, how we’re developing some of that," he said. "I’d love to see some bidding on some of our jobs so that we’re driving some of the free market there so we can get better deals and make better deals,” he said.

Amsler says he realizes the idea is not going to be popular with everyone, but argued that he believed the committee would have a positive impact on local government.

“I think as long as we get DOGE in place, we have the right people who are caring and competent — that it’s a win for everybody at the end of the day," he said. "It’s a win for government. It’s a win for the citizens.”

Amsler said he would like to work with the county to write up a new draft that he plans to have done in the next month.