Gulfport City Council Meeting - September 3, 2025: Budget, Rate Increases, and Charter Review

The Gulfport City Council met on September 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included public hearings on the FY 2025-2026 millage rate and operating budget, second readings of ordinances increasing water, sewer, garbage, and stormwater rates, approval of multiple resolutions for contracts and donations, and a discussion of recommendations from the Charter Review Committee on several charter sections. All votes were unanimous, with no dissenting votes recorded.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Minutes: Meeting minutes from August 19, 2025, were approved after corrections were highlighted.
• Janitorial Services Contract: Resolution No. 2025-62 was approved, authorizing a two-year contract with Boro Building Property Maintenance, LLC for janitorial services.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Budget Hearing: Karen Schwartz questioned why budget details were not resolved in a workshop rather than during the council meeting, noting the public received the modified budget only the day before. Coley suggested using volunteer labor for beach cleanup, changing Town Shores from 55+ to attract younger residents, and proposed the city invest in promoting his film, Jebus, in exchange for a 1% equity stake. Beth Burkebein thanked the city for beach cleanup enabling youth sailing at the Boca Sierra Yacht Club and announced the return of the lighted Christmas boat parade on December 13, 2025.
• Utility Rate Ordinances: Ralph Jordan (30-year resident) asked about electronic water meters and expressed concern about algorithm-based billing. Tim Walters opposed the 8% water/sewer/garbage increases, stating the CPI is 3.3% and that Gulfport's garbage rates are higher than neighboring cities; he urged tabling the increase until a more efficient system is developed. Karen Schwartz supported reducing collection to once a week and implementing a pay-as-you-throw system.
• General Public Comment: Regina Buscemi reminded the community about the September 11 ceremony at Veterans Park. Ingrid Bedenberg urged support for Creative Pinellas, which faces defunding, noting its role in funding arts that drive tourism. Albert Reisenberg thanked the council for their dedication and asked about the Lions Club building demolition. Karen Schwartz raised concerns about grass in streets, lack of grates on storm drains, and safety risks for children and pets. Wolfgang Dininger announced the Gulfport Grassroots monthly beach cleanup on September 13 and the October 4 International Coastal Cleanup at Clam Bayou. Lisa Milkey expressed concern about long-term camping and car-dwelling in public spaces, stating it detracts from safety and businesses, and urged action. Lenny Guggenheimer praised Gecko Fest but noted parking and shuttle issues.

Discussion Items

• FY 2025-2026 Millage Rate and Budget (Items 1a & 1b): The council held first reading of the millage rate ordinance at 4.0258 mills (a 4.71% increase over the rolled-back rate) and the operating budget. City Manager O'Reilly noted the budget increased by only 0.039% over the previous year and had been reduced by $218,613 since July. Vice Mayor Thanos raised a detailed series of questions about the budget, including the reallocation of $350,000 originally designated for solar to stormwater projects (she preferred keeping it for solar, but a consensus was reached to use it for stormwater), the $95,000 for mooring field expansion (she asked if those funds could be redirected to beach resiliency), and numerous line-item questions about property tax revenue, insurance, personnel, and community development. Councilmember Shaw noted the challenge of reviewing a modified budget received the day before. The millage rate and budget passed unanimously on first reading.
• Utility Rate Ordinances (Items 8a-8d): The council held second readings and public hearings on water (8% increase), sewer (8% increase), garbage (8% increase), and stormwater ($1/month increase for three years). City Manager O'Reilly stated the water and sewer increases fund stormwater improvements and utility enterprise needs. Despite public opposition, all four ordinances passed unanimously.
• Resolutions (Items 9a-9f): The council approved six resolutions:
  • 9a: Acceptance of an in-kind donation of a refrigerator from the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center Foundation.
  • 9b: Acceptance of a $126,000 donation from the Armed Forces Families Foundation for upgrades to Veterans Memorial Park, including a gazebo, water fountain, picnic benches, and pervious parking; completion required by June 2026.
  • 9c: A $95,000 contract with JR Marine Construction for repair of the 49th Street Outfall Gravity Wall damaged by storms.
  • 9d: A contract with Central Florida Contractors for sidewalk and ADA ramp improvements, covering about 1,800 linear feet and 50 ramps in the first year.
  • 9e: A contract with Atlantic Pipe Services for cleaning and televising of stormwater pipes in high-priority areas (about 25,000 linear feet) to meet state NPDES requirements; funding came from reallocation of ARPA funds originally for solar.
  • 9f: A contract with KM2H LLC for 54th Street intersection restoration and seawall replacement, adding three new inlets and larger pipes to improve drainage; this is a FEMA-eligible project with a 220-day contract term.
• Charter Review Committee Discussion (Item 10a): The council discussed recommendations from the Charter Review Committee on five sections:
  • Section 103 (Extraterritorial Powers): Committee proposed 5-year leases instead of 30-year, fair market value via appraiser, and a recording requirement for property transfers. Council members expressed mixed views; some felt these could be policy changes rather than charter amendments.
  • Section 302 (Terms): Committee proposed term limits: mayor limited to two consecutive terms, council members to three consecutive terms, with a two-year out-of-office requirement and an exception if no qualified candidates. Council members debated term length; Vice Mayor Thanos and Mayor Love favored three-year terms for council, Councilmember Jackson and Early preferred keeping two-year terms. The only clear consensus was support for term limits; no agreement on length.
  • Section 305 (Prohibitions): Committee proposed replacing the current penalty (second-degree misdemeanor) with a process allowing council to remove a member by a 3/4 vote for cause, following due process. Council members largely supported the concept but questioned placement; Mayor Love and Vice Mayor Thanos suggested moving it to Section 306 (Vacancies). Attorney Evans noted the need to align with the charter's structure.
  • Section 306 (Vacancies): Committee proposed a detailed process including forfeiture of office for charter violations, a public hearing, and an independent ethics advisory committee with a magistrate. Council discussed the need for written warnings, broader notification for vacancies, and ensuring council hears evidence directly. Councilmember Shaw emphasized the importance of due process and transparency. The committee will refine proposals based on input and report back.
• New Business: Vice Mayor Thanos requested a future review of the city's procurement process, citing past contracts that were ineffective or costly. Mayor Love disclosed that St. Petersburg Mayor Welch had inquired about de-annexing Lincoln Cemetery back to St. Petersburg; documents were provided to council members, but no decisions have been made; Mayor Love cautioned about precedent.

Key Outcomes

• Approved on First Reading: Millage rate at 4.0258 mills (unanimous) and the FY 2025-2026 operating budget (unanimous). Final adoption will occur on September 16.
• Approved on Second Reading: Water rate increase (8%), sewer rate increase (8%), garbage rate increase (8%), and stormwater fee increase ($1/month for three years). All passed unanimously.
• Approved Resolutions: All six resolutions (9a-9f) passed unanimously, authorizing contracts and donations as described.
• Charter Review: Council directed the Charter Review Committee to revise proposals based on the evening's discussion, particularly regarding term limits, placement of removal provisions, and vacancy procedures. The committee will meet again on September 17 and report back for potential ballot placement in March 2026.
• New Business: A future discussion on procurement processes was noted. The de-annexation inquiry regarding Lincoln Cemetery will be reviewed further, with council members to examine provided documents.