Recognizing Leadership That Listens — and the Work Still Ahead
At NassauFLDOGE (Defenders of Government Efficiency), we believe in working constructively with local leadership to ensure taxpayers get the most value for their dollars. That’s why we’re giving a sincere Thumbs Up to County Manager Taco Pope for recognizing a critical trend in Nassau County’s permitting system — and taking steps to acknowledge it; such as freezing ongoing hiring and studying the manpower needs of the department, etc
Despite a 40% drop in permit demand compared to last year, staffing levels have not yet adjusted accordingly. The fact that the County met the much higher demand of 2023–2024 with its existing team suggests there is room to reevaluate current personnel needs.
We’re encouraged that Mr. Pope appears to understand this shift — that’s Step One. Recognition alone isn’t the finish line. The next challenge is to ensure that staffing levels are responsibly aligned with current permit activity, rather than continuing to grow costs per permit issued.
We’re hopeful that future solutions will prioritize efficiency over rate increases, and focus on long-term structural improvements rather than short-term revenue fixes. Nassau taxpayers deserve a government that scales smartly — and we believe that collaboration between citizens and leadership is the path forward.
So thank you, Taco Pope, for leaning in. Nassau County is better for it.
—The DOGE Team