Biloxi City Council Meeting – September 9, 2025
Biloxi City Council Meeting – September 9, 2025
The Biloxi City Council met on September 9, 2025, to discuss routine approvals, public comments, and a contentious budget adoption. Key topics included a proclamation for the USPS 250th anniversary, a zoning denial, and a 4-3 vote to adopt the FY2025-2026 budget despite concerns over cuts to police and public works.
Consent Calendar
- Suspension of rules and adoption of the agenda as amended.
- First reading of an ordinance to amend Section 9122A regarding garbage collection and disposal fees (contractual increase via Harrison County Utility Authority; city receives only a small administrative fee).
- Resolutions: 2025 tax levy (no millage increase) and adoption of the FY2025-2026 municipal budget.
- Consent agenda items approved with exceptions noted (Councilman Tisdale voted no on items A and B).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mr. Savestro (Greater Biloxi subdivision): Expressed appreciation for neighborhood improvements and cooperation with police; warned against additional funding for Nikkei Brothers.
- Homeowner on Quarons Avenue: Reported a derelict house at 204 Quarons Ave that is a total mess and on city notice.
- George Collins (West Biloxi): Thanked council for recognizing USPS 250th anniversary and presented a token to the mayor.
- Marsha Floor (609 Cops Street): Requested help with oyster cages stored on adjacent property at 610 Howard Avenue (Loxacam LLC) causing rat problems; cited code enforcement.
Discussion Items
- Mayor's Report: Proclamation celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service.
- Council Reports:
- Parks and Recreation updates: sharp cook-off, boat/RV shows; signage for O'Reilly and Hornsby Parks (design in progress); splash pad at Hill Park (major leak, target for summer 2026); pavilion painting (in-house after grass cutting slows).
- Broadwater property cleanup: Councilman requested a site meeting to address incomplete work.
- Dog park improvements praised; adoption event adopted six dogs.
- Ward meeting attendance: ~70 people, positive feedback.
- Drainage and ditch issues (multiple calls); grass cutting problems in Ward 2 (public works short-staffed).
- Zoning Request Denial: Unanimous denial (7-0) of a request to rezone a parcel on Pennoak Drive from RS-10 (low-density residential) to RB (regional business) for a boat/RV storage facility. Planning commission unanimously opposed; neighbors cited concerns about commercial operation in a residential area, traffic, and road damage.
- Budget Debate: Extensive discussion on the FY2025-2026 budget. Councilman Schumacher expressed concerns over hiring freeze (especially police and public works), overtime cuts, and director pay raises without employee raises. Councilman Marshall questioned the need for fire truck purchases ($2M for ladder truck, $2M for engines) versus police funding, and the impact on insurance ratings. Mayor and CAO defended the budget, noting historical outperformance, a double-A credit rating, and plans for capital projects (roofs, generators, fire trucks). Councilman Tisdale presented data comparing sales tax revenue per capita with other cities, arguing the city has a "bleed" in retail leakage. Motion to adopt carried 4-3.
- Code Enforcement Cases: Multiple cases resolved or extended. Key case: 610 Howard Avenue (Loxacam LLC) – oyster cage storage on unzoned property without permit; granted 30-day extension to remove items. Another case (Sherry Jones, 535 Peyton Drive) resolved; windows/structural issues noted for follow-up. Edgewater Village extension granted 6-1 (to October 28) for furniture store boxes.
- Routine Agenda: Included consent items, contract extensions (Camellia Street/BEA 123 project due to design discrepancies; 45-day extension proposed), and Hurricane Katrina fund update ($751,700 at step 3 of 5, awaiting MEMA approval).
Key Outcomes
- FY2025-2026 Budget Adoption: Passed 4-3. Councilman Schumacher voted no citing cuts to police/public works and director pay raises; Councilman Marshall raised concerns about fire truck spending vs. police needs. Budget includes a hiring freeze, $10M bond for capital projects (vehicles, roofs, generators), and no employee pay raises.
- Zoning Denial: Unanimous (7-0) denial of rezoning for boat/RV storage on Pennoak Drive.
- Code Enforcement Extended:
- Edgewater Village (2650 Beach Blvd): Extension to October 28, 2025 (6-1).
- Loxacam LLC (610 Howard Ave): 30-day extension to remove oyster cages and structures.
- Larry Jones Jr. (Zero Hudson Crone Rd): Extension to September 23, 2025.
- Garbage Fee Ordinance: First reading passed.
- Tax Levy Resolution: Adopted unanimously (no millage increase).
- Consent Agenda: Approved with exceptions; Councilman Tisdale voted no on items A and B.
- Next Meeting: No meeting next week; Ward 4 meeting at Margaret Sherry Library (October date TBD, except November due to Veterans Day).
Meeting Transcript
Council meeting. I need a uh motion to suspend the rules. So moved. Moved by Mr. Tisdale. Second. Second by Mr. Creel. Any discussion? All in favor? Those opposed. Motion carries. If the clerk would read the revision. To the policy agenda, we're adding 4A ordinance to amend Section 9122A of the code of ordinances pertaining to garbage collection and disposal fees. Thank you. I need a motion to accept the agenda as amended. So moved. Move by Mr. Tisdale. Second. Second by Mr. Creel. Discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Mayor's report. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Maybe Mr. Mr. Council. Council President, thank you. Welcome everybody. I think this is uh we got some folks from our postal office here, and uh it's a great pleasure. We're gonna be celebrating the 250th year of the of the Postal Service. So if you someone if you're you know, all the people come on up and let me read this uh proclamation. 250 years, it's a long time, right? So whereas the United States Postal Service has played a significant role in historical development of the United States of America from the establishment of roads, railways, airlines, and remains a vital part of the fabric building binding together the people of this nation. Whereas under the universal service obligation, the United States Postal Service ensures that all people, regardless of who they are or where they live, have the democratic right to equal and affordable mail service, currently serving 169 million addresses consistent over the sixth and often seven days a week. The Postal Service remains a vital source of communications, financial transactions, private and secure correspondence, mail audit medications, mail in voting, e-commerce packages and emerging opportunities for new and expanded services, all while being owned by the people and serving as the United National Treasury of and by for the people. Now, whereas for 250 years, the United States Postal Service has faithfully served the City of Biloxi through the delivery of the B News Monthly, utility bills, essential government communications, and personal correspondence. And the city of Bloxy gratefully recognizes, honors, and salutes the dedication of postal workers while affirming its support for a robust and thriving public postal service for generations to come. Now, congratulations on the anniversary United States Postal Service 250th anniversary. Congratulations. Thank you, Mayor. Move on to council reports. Yeah, just a few things. The sharp cook-off was was really good. Great weather with the boat and RV shows.
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