Florida lawmakers have approved a request to launch a full operational audit of Miami Beach, following allegations from State Rep. Fabian Basabe that the city has mishandled finances and failed to operate transparently.
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met Monday in Tallahassee and voted to move forward with Basabe’s request, directing Auditor General Sherrill F. Norman to conduct an in-depth review of the city’s operations. Basabe, a Republican who represents Miami Beach, told the committee that residents deserve clarity about how a nearly $1 billion municipal budget is being managed.
“With a city this size and with the responsibilities that come with a coastal community, transparency matters,” Basabe said. “This audit can strengthen our systems, restore public trust, and support the people we serve.”
The proposal passed quickly, without debate or public comment from lawmakers.
Miami Beach officials pushed back on the criticism. City Manager Eric Carpenter said Miami Beach already conducts annual comprehensive audits and plans to cooperate fully with the state review. “We look forward to dispelling any misinformation,” Carpenter said.
Basabe has raised a broad list of concerns, including recent increases in the city budget, transparency issues in procurement, money spent on international sister-city travel, and how the city handles arrests involving its homeless population. In his letter to lawmakers, he argued that Miami Beach has “become a one-billion-dollar government operating without outside accountability.”
City leaders say otherwise. Miami Beach maintains its own independent inspector general’s office, led by former Miami-Dade ethics chief Joseph Centorino. The office can issue subpoenas and open investigations into city conduct, including potential waste or abuse of taxpayer funds.
Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez defended the city’s record, saying Miami Beach operates a “transparent, well-run, and fiscally strong government.” He pointed to a reduced millage rate, top bond ratings, strong reserves, and a year-end surplus. Fernandez also authored an ordinance requiring the inspector general to flag any city action that could violate rules or lead to waste or fraud.
The upcoming audit is separate from the state’s new Department of Government Efficiency—modeled on the federal DOGE initiative once championed by Elon Musk. That program, under Gov. Ron DeSantis, has recently scrutinized spending in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and the city of Miami. Miami Beach has largely maintained a positive relationship with the governor, who has praised the city’s public-safety initiatives.
Basabe, 47, has frequently clashed with Miami Beach officials during his time in the state legislature. His tenure has been marked by controversy, including accusations from an aide and an intern—allegations he denied and that House-commissioned investigations did not substantiate. Despite that, voters returned him to office in 2024.
The auditor general’s findings could take months to complete and may result in further recommendations, corrective measures, or legislative action.
