Biloxi City Council Budget Workshop - August 6, 2025

The Biloxi City Council conducted a budget workshop to review the fiscal year 2025-2026 municipal budget. Presentations were given on health insurance renewal, the Community Development department budget, and the Ports and Harbors department budget. No formal votes were taken on budget items.

Discussion Items

• Health Insurance: Cy Easterling, working with the insurance committee, reported a flat renewal for the city's self-funded health insurance plan. Total projected cost is approximately $9.96 million, matching the previous year's projection of $9.97 million. Administrative costs remained flat, but specific stop-loss premium increased 17% ($250,000), offset by a 14-person reduction in plan participants and lower projected claims. Dental, vision, and life insurance rates are unchanged, with no increase in employee contributions. The committee noted $530,000 in documented pharmacy cost savings through a new PBM and programs. Initial insurance lasers for high-dollar claimants were presented but are not final; two may be removed and one reduced after clinical review.
• Community Development: Director Jerry Weaver requested a $298,000 increase, primarily for the visitor center chiller replacement ($174,000) and audio-visual system replacement ($68,000). Other requests include increasing the city arborist salary from $56,000 to $60,000–$65,000 to attract a qualified ISA-certified arborist (current consulting cost estimated over $100,000/year), two replacement vehicles ($80,000), tree maintenance ($30,000 new line item), signage for historic markers, land clearance for code enforcement (expected to be recouped via special assessments), and a floodplain management software program. The department has 32 full-time positions. Visitor center rental income was $63,000 through July, with $80,000 forecast for the year. Council discussed the necessity of the arborist position and various expense details.
• Ports and Harbors: Director Christina Johnson presented a budget similar to the prior year, with major changes being three replacement trucks and a replacement lawnmower. The port is an enterprise fund; fiscal year revenue through June was approximately $3.7 million from slip rentals, building leases, and special events. Slip occupancy ranges from 57% to 92% across harbors. Council discussed harbor operations: training for harbor masters on emergency procedures (e.g., sinking boats), needed upgrades (bathroom AC, lighting, cameras, trash cans, laundry facilities), charter boat signage policies, and the issue of tournament boat docking—a policy clarification was requested to allow temporary docking during tournaments. The director affirmed that a harbor committee is not needed but is open to volunteer input.

Key Outcomes

• The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda.
• No budget-related votes were taken; the workshop served as a discussion forum.
• The next budget workshop was scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 1:30 PM.
• The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.