Biloxi City Council Budget Meeting - August 26, 2025

The Biloxi City Council met on August 26, 2025, to discuss and make decisions on the fiscal year 2025-2026 municipal budget. The city faced a $2.5 million deficit, and the administration presented a revised budget that trimmed $4.1 million from the previous version. The meeting included public comments, detailed departmental reviews, and votes on funding for external organizations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jimmy Richardson, representing Biloxi National Cemetery, requested the city's continued support for the cemetery's three-day event honoring veterans, noting the facility is among the top five in the country for grave coverage.
• Sarah Chrysler Rusky, Harrison County Library System, urged the council to avoid cuts to library funding, emphasizing that the library has experienced zero percent growth for 20 years, receives less funding than in 2005, and has a base pay of $11/hour for staff. She warned that significant cuts could lead to branch closures or no book purchases.
• A speaker from Coast Transit Authority (CTA) asked the council to reconsider a proposed $80,000 reduction in subsidy, stating that every dollar of city subsidy leverages $5 in federal grants and that cuts would reduce service and require public hearings under federal law.
• Susan Kramer Jones, director of the Women's Resource Center, described the center's free medical and educational services, noting that 30% of clients are from Biloxi. She requested continued funding, stating the center receives no federal or state money.
• Susan Hunt, Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum, thanked the council for past support and requested funding for the upcoming year.

Discussion Items

• Administrative & Executive Budgets: Council members reviewed line items, including increases in supplies/service charges and debt service for vehicle purchases. No major changes were proposed.
• Legislative Budget (Council Travel): Councilman Marshall proposed increasing the travel budget from $8,000 to $13,000 to support economic development trips. A motion to increase by $5,000 failed on a 6-1 vote (opposed). The council agreed to keep the budget at $8,000, with the option to request a budget amendment later if needed.
• Non-Departmental Funding: Extensive discussion focused on funding for community organizations:
  • Salvation Army (Crocs Center) and Workforce Development (Peter Claver): Councilman Marshall argued against cuts, noting the Salvation Army provides scholarships for youth in East Biloxi and workforce development repairs parks. Consensus was reached to fund both at $20,000 each (the requested amounts).
  • Coast Transit Authority (CTA): Councilman Gray wanted to keep funding at last year's level of $392,000 to support seniors and workers. After debate, the council agreed to fund the full request of $413,000, with CTA committing to redesign routes to improve service in East Biloxi without additional cost.
  • Harrison County Library System: Councilman Tisdale proposed linking funding to one mill (approximately $793,000) for the term of the council. After discussion of options ($652,000, $700,000, or $793,000), the council voted 4-3 to fund $793,000, which is a decrease from the library's initial request of $805,000.
  • CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates): The director explained that 248 children are in foster care in Harrison County, with Biloxi serving one-third of them. The council voted to fund $20,000 (up from the revised $16,200) after a tied vote broken by Councilman Shoemaker.
  • Other nonprofits (Gulf Coast Women's Center, Family Justice, Domestic Violence, Women's Resource Center): Councilman Shoemaker proposed restoring cuts to $20,000 each, but the council decided to keep them at the revised level of $16,200 each, citing the need for fiscal restraint.
  • Feed the Needy program: This item was moved from the administration budget to non-departmental for transparency. The program provides meals at Christmas and Thanksgiving. No vote was taken to change its funding.
• Departmental Budgets: Council members reviewed each department (police, fire, public works, etc.) with minimal changes. Notable points: Police and fire budgets were cut by $1.9 million, primarily through a hiring freeze and reduced capital purchases. Fire department capital outlay of $1.7 million for new engines and a ladder truck was budgeted but not expected to be received in the fiscal year. Public works and parks budgets were reduced through in-house repairs and community partnerships.

Key Outcomes

• Legislative Travel Budget: Motion to increase from $8,000 to $13,000 failed (6-1 opposed). Budget remains at $8,000.
• Salvation Army & Workforce Development: Funded at $20,000 each (from proposed cuts).
• Coast Transit Authority: Funded at $413,000 (full request), with CTA to redesign routes for East Biloxi without extra cost.
• Harrison County Library System: Funded at $793,000 (equivalent of one mill), with a commitment to maintain that level for the council's term.
• CASA: Funded at $20,000.
• Gulf Coast Women's Center, Family Justice, Women's Resource Center: Each funded at $16,200 (the revised level, not restored to $20,000).
• Feed the Needy: Moved to non-departmental category; funding unchanged.
• Next Steps: A public budget hearing will be held on September 2, 2025, at 5:30 PM before the regular council meeting. The final budget adoption is scheduled for the September council meeting.