Gulfport City Council Meeting - September 17, 2024: Millage Rate and Budget Ordinances Adopted

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting featured two public hearings for the FY2024-2025 millage rate and budget ordinances, both of which passed unanimously. The council also heard public comments on various topics, received updates from the city manager, and approved the consent agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Item 6.A: Approved the meeting minutes from the City Council meeting held on September 3, 2024. The motion carried unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kirsten Strang asked whether the city could allocate funding for nonprofit events that unite communities (e.g., seniors, mothers, homeless) across multiple municipalities.
• Andrew Turner, a 16-year resident, asked about plans to fix potholes and road conditions, noting that potholes reappear in the same streets.
• Lauren Stern expressed excitement about the Tonkin Park playground project and requested that the city obtain multiple bids from vendors and include parent input throughout the design process.
• Ms. Love (speaking during the budget public hearing) supported volunteer groups like Fusion 49th, noting that many community groups operate without city funds. During open public comment, she raised concerns about homeless encampments at the beach (pavilion 3) and the need for enforcement, and asked for an update on removing boats damaged by Hurricane Debby.
• Alexander Dunsing (a Michigan resident) accused Councilmember Thanos of violating the Gulfport City Charter by directly ordering city employees and requested an investigation, citing emails. The mayor noted that the council could not take action on the matter.
• Victoria Doyle thanked the council and staff for listening to parents' input on the Tonkin Park playground and expressed hope for continued involvement despite scheduling challenges for parents of young children.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2024-08 (Millage Rate) – Second Reading & Public Hearing: Set the ad valorem tax levy at 4.0258 mills for FY2024-2025. City Manager O'Reilly explained that the millage rate is the same as the previous fiscal year but is advertised as a tax increase because the rolled-back rate (3.6865 mills) would generate the same revenue; the higher revenue from the unchanged rate is due to growth in property values. The ordinance passed unanimously with no public comment.
• Ordinance 2024-09 (Budget) – Second Reading & Public Hearing: Adopted the operating budget for FY2025 (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025). Councilmember Thanos proposed allocating $10,000 to the Fusion 49th organization, but Mayor Henderson and City Manager O'Reilly opposed giving cash to any organization, citing a policy of providing in-kind services only. Thanos also requested that the city join the Homeless Leadership Alliance's Continuum of Care for $300, and suggested removing the leisure services director salary ($113,000) from the budget if the position would not be filled. Councilmember Brown praised the finance department's work. The budget passed unanimously following public comments.
• City Manager Report: Reported progress on removing 16 storm-damaged vessels; the contractor is mobilizing and an emergency purchase order will be brought to council. Discussed enforcement of homeless encampments at the beach. Announced plans to bring an ordinance amendment to Chapter 6 to prohibit anchoring in the submerged land off Veterans Park (owned by the city). Also noted that holiday decorations on 49th Street are being expanded with additional power drops and brackets.
• Council Comments: Councilmember Brown invited Justin Shea to announce the city's 114th birthday celebration on October 12, 2024, from 10 AM to 5 PM at Chase Park, featuring free food, bounce houses, music, and department activities. Councilmember Thanos proposed a town hall in mid-November at the Casino. Discussion also covered extending the trolley route for major events on 49th Street.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 2024-08 (Millage Rate): Passed 5-0 (all present: Ray, O'Hara, Thanos, Brown, Henderson).
• Ordinance 2024-09 (Budget): Passed 5-0.
• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Directives: The city manager will bring a revised anchoring ordinance to council. The council will consider the Homeless Leadership Alliance membership request ($300) separately. The Tonkin Park playground design is expected on the October 1 agenda with recommendations from staff and the parent group.