Forget DOGE and Musk: Lee County clerk introduces CoGE

Without mentioning the federal version by name, Lee County Clerk and Comptroller Kevin Karnes has announced the creation of a new type of role aimed at saving taxpayer dollars: the chief of government efficiency.

Also known as CoGE, the role is modeled after President Donald Trump’s much-talked about DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency. In a Jan. 20 executive order, the Trump administration says DOGE’s purpose is “to implement the president’s DOGE agenda, by modernizing federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.” Tesla founder Elon Musk has been appointed to run DOGE. 

In a similar vein, Karnes, a Republican appointed to the role by Gov. Ron DeSantis in March 2022 and elected countywide that August, says Lee County’s CoGE “will focus on identifying cost-saving measures and providing strategic recommendations to help reduce the office’s budget, streamline operations, and promote a culture of excellence.”