Key takeaways
- Florida state government spent $130.6 billion in fiscal 2024, the 5th most of any state.
- Statewide purchasing runs through the Department of Management Services, State Purchasing, and vendors register and find bids in MyFloridaMarketPlace.
- The fiscal year starts July 1; the governor's FY2028 budget proposal usually comes about 30 days before the March 2 session.
- The 2027 legislative session convenes March 2 and is scheduled to adjourn April 30.
- A new governor, Byron Donalds, takes office Jan. 5, 2027.
Florida government at a glance
| Fact | Florida |
|---|---|
| State spending, FY 2024 | $130.6 billion (5th of 50) |
| Fiscal year starts | July 1 |
| Next budget | FY2028 · proposal usually about 30 days before the March 2 session |
| 2027 legislative session | March 2 to April 30 (60 days) |
| Governor-elect | Byron Donalds, takes office Jan. 5, 2027 |
| Central procurement office | Department of Management Services, State Purchasing |
| Bid and vendor portal | MyFloridaMarketPlace |
| State CIO | Warren Sponholtz, Chief Information Officer |
| Local governments | 1,947 total, including 1,374 special districts and 95 school districts |
| Public power and co-op utilities | 32 public power utilities and 16 electric co-ops |
| State prison population | 87,207 (end of 2023) |
How Florida buys
- Central purchasing. The Department of Management Services, State Purchasing handles statewide contracts and purchasing rules for state agencies.
- Where bids are posted. MyFloridaMarketPlace is where vendors register and find state solicitations.
- Registering as a vendor. Our Florida vendor registration guide walks through the steps, fees and documents.
- Agencies and local buyers. Many agencies, universities, cities, counties and school districts buy on their own or through cooperative contracts; see our cooperative purchasing guide.
Purchase thresholds
| Tier | Rule |
|---|---|
| Little or no competition | Under $2,500 |
| Informal quotes | $2,500 to $35,000: quotes where practical |
| Formal solicitation | Over $35,000 (ITB, RFP or ITN) |
Source: Fla. Stat. §287.017, §287.057. Agency and local thresholds can differ; see our state procurement thresholds guide.
Budget and legislative calendar
- Fiscal year. Florida's fiscal year starts July 1. The next budget covers FY2028.
- Governor's proposal. Usually released About 30 days before the March 2 session. Status as of Nov. 8, 2026: not yet released. Track it in our governor budget proposals tracker.
- 2027 session. Convenes March 2 and is scheduled to adjourn April 30. See the 2027 legislative session calendar.
- New administration. Governor-elect Byron Donalds takes office Jan. 5, 2027. New administrations often bring new agency leaders and priorities; see new governors in 2027.
Technology and AI
- State CIO. Warren Sponholtz, Chief Information Officer, leads the Florida Digital Service. See the full state CIO directory.
- AI policy. Our tracker counts no executive orders, 1 law and no agency policies on government AI use. See the state AI policy tracker.
- How IT buying works. See how state agencies buy technology.
Largest public buyers in Florida
The biggest Florida entities on our national rankings. Each one runs its own budget and, in most cases, its own purchasing.
| Buyer | Type | Size | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | City | 1,017,689 residents (2025) | 11 of 100 largest cities |
| Miami | City | 489,812 residents (2025) | 41 of 100 largest cities |
| Tampa | City | 413,554 residents (2025) | 49 of 100 largest cities |
| Miami-Dade County | County | 2,802,029 residents (2025) | 7 of 100 largest counties |
| Broward County | County | 2,013,317 residents (2025) | 17 of 100 largest counties |
| Palm Beach County | County | 1,575,726 residents (2025) | 24 of 100 largest counties |
| Miami-Dade | School district | 328,589 students (fall 2021) | 4 of 100 largest districts |
| Broward | School district | 256,037 students (fall 2021) | 6 of 100 largest districts |
| Hillsborough | School district | 224,149 students (fall 2021) | 7 of 100 largest districts |
| University of Central Florida | Public university | 69,713 students (fall 2024) | 7 of 40 largest |
| Miami Dade College | Public university | 58,941 students (fall 2024) | 11 of 40 largest |
| County of Miami-Dade | Transit agency | 77,961,900 trips (2023) | 12 of 50 largest |
| Broward County Bd. of County Commissioners | Transit agency | 23,210,000 trips (2023) | 35 of 50 largest |
| Orlando International | Airport | 27,999,709 passengers boarded (2025) | 7 of 100 busiest |
| Miami International | Airport | 26,450,972 passengers boarded (2025) | 9 of 100 busiest |
| Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department | Water utility | 2,300,000 people served | 4 of 208 largest |
| JEA | Water utility | 826,664 people served | 31 of 208 largest |
| JEA | Public power utility | 531,883 electric customers (2024) | 8 of 50 largest |
| Orlando Utilities Commission | Public power utility | 282,182 electric customers (2024) | 14 of 50 largest |
| Miami-Dade (FL) Police | Police department | 2,723 sworn officers (2016) | 8 of 50 largest |
| Tampa (FL) Police | Police department | 950 sworn officers (2016) | 42 of 50 largest |
| Jacksonville Sheriff's Office | Sheriff's office | 1,577 sworn personnel (2016) | 5 of 50 largest |
| Memorial Healthcare System | Public hospital system | $3.63 billion operating expenses (FY2025-26) | — |
| Jackson Health System | Public hospital system | $2.26 billion operating revenue (FY2025) | — |
| JAXPORT | Port | 1,388,841 TEUs (2025) | 10 of 16 largest |
| Florida Agency for Health Care Administration | State agency | $38.0B budget | 10 of 16 largest |
| Florida Department of Transportation | State agency | $14.4B budget | 16 of 16 largest |
Sources: KSG rankings of the largest cities, counties, school districts, public universities, transit agencies, airports, water utilities, public power utilities, police departments and other lists. Figures are from each list's source year.
Local government and utilities
- 1,947 local governments. That includes 1,374 special districts and 95 school districts. See special districts by state.
- Utilities. 32 public power utilities and 16 electric cooperatives serve 2,984,476 customers, 25% of the state. See Florida utilities.
- Budget cycles. Cities, counties and school districts set their own fiscal years; see city and county budget calendars.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities. We research Florida buyers, time outreach to state and local budget cycles and get you in front of the people who own the problem you solve. See how our state and local sales development works.
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