Gulfport City Council Meeting – Budget Hearings and Proclamation – 2024-09-03

On September 3, 2024, the Gulfport City Council held a meeting that included the first reading of two budget ordinances for Fiscal Year 2024–2025, a proclamation honoring the late Mayor Emeritus Michael J. Yakes, and public comment on the budget and other city matters. The meeting began at 6:00 PM at Gulfport City Hall.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The council unanimously approved the minutes from the July 16, 2024 and August 6, 2024 meetings.

Presentations

• Proclamation – Mayor Emeritus Michael J. Yakes Day: The council read and presented a proclamation declaring September 4, 2024 as "Mayor Emeritus Michael J. Yakes Day" in recognition of his 27 years of service on the council and 22 years as mayor. The proclamation also directed funding for five children's summer recreation programs in his name.

Public Hearings: FY 2024-2025 Millage Rate and Budget Ordinances

1.a. Ordinance No. 2024-08 – Ad Valorem Tax Levy

• Purpose: To levy 4.0258 operating mills for general operations in FY 2024-2025. This is a 9.20% increase over the rolled-back rate of 3.6865 mills. The council unanimously passed the ordinance on first reading.
• Public Comment:
  • Councilmember Love asked why the rollback rate reference is required; the city attorney explained it is a Florida statute requirement.
  • Resident Emanuela Mujica expressed support for park maintenance and requested collaboration on improvements to Tonkin Playground at Chase Park, citing a community survey with nearly 100 responses.
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilmember Ray praised keeping the millage rate stable.
  • Vice Mayor O'Hara and Councilmember Thanos voiced support. Councilmember Brown noted the budget aligns with resident expectations.
  • Mayor Henderson emphasized the months-long budget process and addressed the need for an assistant city manager, noting that technology and workload have increased the demands on the city manager's office.
• Vote: Unanimous (5-0).

1.b. Ordinance No. 2024-09 – Operating Budget Adoption

• Purpose: To adopt the operating budget for FY 2024-2025. City Manager O'Reilly noted that the proposed budget includes $100,000 in additional funding added after the August 6 council meeting: $5,000 for homeless facilitation support, $20,000 for parks plant materials, and $75,000 for grant procurement management services.
• Public Comment:
  • Resident Angelina Ruggia requested that Tonkin Playground be fully fenced, that trees be protected, and that the playground include seating, shade, and natural elements. She said a survey of 91 participants showed strong preferences for safety, shade, and nature-based play.
  • Resident Aaron Kennedy (Fusion 49th District) requested $9,191 to extend holiday lights to the west side of 49th Street, noting the city and St. Petersburg support fusion initiatives. The council agreed to explore the request and include an estimate in the next budget reading.
  • Resident Mary Hannahan questioned a $232,000 line item for an "essential employee" and a 64% increase in the city manager's salary category. City Manager O'Reilly clarified that the essential employee cost is tied to the new fire contract, and the salary category includes the addition of an assistant city manager and administrative staff, not a 64% raise for the city manager alone.
  • Resident Schwartz criticized the lack of public discussion on the budget and questioned the need for an assistant city manager.
  • Resident Karen Schwartz requested budget transparency for succession planning and the 49th Street corridor improvements.
• Council Discussion and Debate:
  • Councilmember Thanos conducted a detailed line-by-line review, raising questions about fund balance reductions, the EMS fire truck postponement, the assistant city manager position (budgeted at ~$130,000), and a $100,000 machinery/equipment item for new utility software. She proposed removing the leisure services director position from the budget (saving ~$100,000) and recommended keeping the assistant city manager, though she expressed skepticism about the need for a full-time position.
  • Councilmember Brown supported the assistant city manager, citing calls to similar-sized cities where the position is common.
  • Vice Mayor O'Hara supported succession planning and the additional plant material funding.
  • Councilmember Ray supported the assistant city manager, grant writer, and holiday lighting.
  • Mayor Henderson noted the budget is a "living document" and praised the finance department. The council agreed to add an estimate for holiday lighting to the next reading.
• Vote: Unanimous (5-0) with an amendment to include holiday lighting costs in the next reading.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Gore reminded the council about arts scholarships (three $2,000 scholarships) and asked for an update on the senior center fundraising status (budgeted at $184,000 for three years). The city manager agreed to provide an update in October.
• Nathan Brummer, a candidate for State House District 61, thanked the council for their openness and praised Gulfport as a special community.
• Resident (unspecified) thanked the city for funding five children's recreation programs.
• Resident Love thanked officials for post-storm messaging, inquired about the Lyft/alarm system performance after recent storms, asked for an update on 58th Street improvements, promoted the September 29 Gulfport Special Delivery art auction, and clarified that her earlier comment about limited public budget discussion was intended to encourage more resident engagement.

City Manager Report

• Storm Response: City Manager O'Reilly reported that lift stations performed well during recent storms; alarms worked and there were no sewer spills. About 10–11 vessels damaged by storms remain; staff are obtaining cost estimates and may request an emergency purchase order on September 17 for removal.
• 58th Street Project: Design and state funding reappropriation have moved the project to FY 2025, beginning in October.
• Budget and Staff Thanks: O'Reilly thanked staff for their budget work and noted that holiday lighting costs will be included in the next budget reading.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 2024-08 (Millage Rate): Approved unanimously on first reading.
• Ordinance 2024-09 (Operating Budget): Approved unanimously on first reading with direction to add a holiday lighting cost estimate (approximately $9,200) for the next reading.
• Proclamation: Mayor Emeritus Michael J. Yakes Day declared for September 4, 2024, with funding for five children's summer recreation programs.
• Future Agenda Item: City manager to provide a senior center fundraising update at the October meeting.
• Code Enforcement Referral: Councilmember Thanos requested that the city manager explore having police respond to emergent tree removal calls on weekends to prevent unauthorized tree cutting; city manager agreed to discuss with the police chief.
• Utility Welcome Packet: Councilmember Thanos suggested ensuring new residents receive welcome information with their first utility bill; staff will review distribution methods.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned following council comments and kudos to staff for storm response and event support.