Photo by Trei Johnson
Gulfport City Council passed its operating budget and millage rate at its Sept. 3 meeting, following debate over cuts to trees, recreation, police technology, and outside services.
Council approved Ordinances 2026-09 and 2026-10 by 5-0 votes on first reading. City Manager Jim O’Reilly told Council he was not proposing an increase to the City’s millage rate, which remains at 4.0258 — roughly $4 for every $1,000 in a property’s taxable value. Although the rate itself is unchanged, the City expects to collect more property-tax revenue as property values rise.
“I’m not asking for any millage rate increase,” O’Reilly said.
Council Debates Individual Line Items
Much of the discussion focused not on the overall budget, but on individual expenses Council members believed could be reduced, delayed, or restored.
Ward I Councilmember Jennifer Daunch said she thought the budget was good as presented, but said Council should provide more oversight during the next budget cycle.
Mayor Karen Love cautioned against making cuts simply to demonstrate fiscal restraint.
“I don’t want us to have a crisis in order to prove a point,” Love said.
The next Gulfport City Council meeting is Sept. 15 at 6 p.m.
That’s not all that happened at the Sept. 3 Gulfport City Council meeting. Read about free trees, Flock cameras, small budget items, garbage rates, and Spirit of Gulfport Award.
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