The Biloxi City Council held a budget work session on July 28, 2026, to review proposed fiscal year 2027 budgets for the Parks and Recreation and Community Development departments. The meeting featured detailed presentations on revenue shortfalls, proposed service cuts, and potential fee increases. Councilmembers expressed concerns over the closure of the Snyder Center pool, reductions in youth sports tournaments, and the need for balanced economic development. No final votes were taken on the budgets.
Parks and Recreation Director Jamie Lee presented a draft budget of $4.215 million, down from $4.9 million in the previous year. Key proposed changes included:
Councilmembers questioned the proposed cuts, particularly the reduction in ball tournaments. Councilman Gray argued tournaments are revenue-generating and should be expanded, not cut. Councilman Glavin proposed offsetting uniform costs ($60,000) through increased fees and suggested putting back $40,000 for scoreboard technology and temporary fencing. Councilman Gray also expressed surprise about the pool closure, noting that only three council members had been briefed. Councilman Tisdale explained the lifeguard shortage is a long-standing issue and the decision to close was driven by resignations.
Councilman Gray advocated for raising fees for non-residents and increasing annual passes (currently $60 for seniors). Councilman Creel criticized the city’s failure to raise fees and taxes gradually, arguing that the city now appears “broke.” He questioned why revenue-generating opportunities had not been pursued earlier.
Councilman Marshall asked about costs at Hiller Park and the need for in-house maintenance. Councilman Glavin raised the possibility of having the Biloxi school board fund lifeguards for school-related swim meets, but noted the interlocal agreement does not require that.
Community Development Director Jerry Creel presented a proposed budget of $2.49 million, a reduction of $1.3 million from the 2026 budget of $3.8 million. After deducting salaries and benefits (close to $2 million), only $547,368 remains for supplies and services. Mandatory items (fuel, tree mitigation, electricity, etc.) total $378,594, leaving just $168,774 for the year. Key reductions:
Creel noted positive economic news: construction permits for new construction are $10 million ahead of last year; sales tax revenues have topped $1 million for 63 consecutive months; gaming revenues were $6 million higher than June of the prior year.
Councilman Gray emphasized that new residential developments cost the city in services (streets, police, parks) and that ad valorem taxes alone ($14 million) cannot sustain growth. He argued the city needs a better mix of development (commercial, hotels) rather than relying solely on subdivisions. Councilman Glavin asked about sidewalk requirements in new developments; Creel confirmed they are required by ordinance except in certain topographical situations.
Councilman Creel asked about code enforcement land clearance spending and collections from late taxes; Creel noted $260,000 in late tax payments received in June but could not yet allocate to specific parcels due to lack of breakdowns.
Which one? Oh, parks. We can't we can't start without the clerk. Can't start the party till she gets here. All right. John, you ready? All right, good deal. All right. I need uh motion to accept the agenda. So moved. Second by Mr. Creel. Second by Mr. Glavin. Any discussion? None. All in favor. It's approved on the 6-0 vote. If you the clerk would note, Mr. Marshall's out of the room. Okay. I don't know if you had a comment we'll do is have uh parks and rec and then it'll be followed by community development. Okay, Doug. Uh Mr. Lee, you're on. Uh you may want to make a statement or two. You may want to just go to questions, whatever is your preference. Right. Thank you, sir. Um, I'll go ahead and just kind of give an overview of what we're looking at. Of course, you know, this is our draft budget based it based upon the current projected revenues of what we're doing and where we are at. You see, we're looking at a total budget for this fiscal year of 4.215. Um, four sets down from 4.9 in the previous year. So uh for those that aren't aware, we will be taking over a new facility as well. Um not a new facility, but a new facility in our department. The visitor center will fall under parks and recreation beginning in October. Just kind of falls more in line with the way our department set up and runs. Um so that'll happen in October. So based upon where we're at right now, these are the things that we are looking at doing to help get us to the number we need to be at. Um in the administration section, we're looking at um moving from six full-time to four full time, not filling a computer operator or an executive secretary position positions. Um that's gonna save about 107,000. Um, we're looking at removing all the contractual grass cutting. Um currently our sites of grass cutting our contracted grass cutting is at the causeway beyond the gate. Keysler Federal Park. Um as well as the visitor center. And that totals about $90,000 a year for that contractual grass cutting. Could you could you give us an uh account number so we can follow along or a line item number if you will? I'm sorry. That's how the contract is. Well, uh 6645.