Photo by Cathy Salustri
Updated Sept. 17, 11:43 a.m.
An earlier version of this article incorrectly attributed a statement regarding the City’s need for state representation to Ward III Councilmember Jennifer Webb. The statement was made by Ward I Councilmember Jennifer Daunch. The article has been updated to reflect the correct attribution.
The Gabber Newspaper regrets the error.
Gulfport City Council debated several smaller budget items at its Sept. 3 meeting, including lobbying expenses, grant-writing services, recreation programs, and rental enforcement — with members split on which services counted as essential.
Lobbying and Grants
The proposed budget eliminates federal lobbying expenses while retaining state lobbying services. Mayor Karen Love said she wanted Gulfport to maintain a connection in Tallahassee, and Ward I Councilmember Jennifer Daunch agreed that the City may need state representation now more than ever.
City Manager Jim O’Reilly said staff would return with a proposal for outside grant-writing services after Council questioned whether outsourcing could replace the existing expense. Vice Mayor Marlene Shaw asked why outsourcing hadn’t been considered sooner, while O’Reilly pushed back on eliminating grant-writing capacity altogether.
[Read more below]
That’s not all that happened at the Sept. 3 Gulfport City Council meeting. Read about free trees, Flock cameras, millage rates, garbage rates, and Spirit of Gulfport Award.
Recreation and the Dog Run
Ward IV Councilmember Nancy Earley offered the proposed dog run as one place to save money this year.
“Ward four will be a team player and give up the dog run,” Earley said.
Recreation spending more broadly produced debate over what constitutes an essential service. Ward I Councilmember Jennifer Daunch said the budget was defensible as presented but warned that cutting a program now could make it difficult to rebuild later.
“Yes, recreation sounds like something extra, but people need to get out and move,” Daunch said.
Rental Enforcement and eComment
Council had previously reached a consensus to remove funding for the City’s online eComment system, but residents asked members to keep an online option for public participation. Ward III Councilmember Jennifer Webb said she wanted to preserve the public’s ability to weigh in on City business as much as possible.
Short-term rental enforcement also came up during the review. O’Reilly described the City’s existing approach as complaint-driven. Webb argued that maintaining an enforcement system matters because failing to enforce local rules could weaken the City’s position later.
“If we don’t enforce, we lose,” Webb said.
The next Gulfport City Council meeting is Sept. 15 at 6 p.m.
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