Photo by Cathy Salustri
The tree fund became one of the most discussed cuts at Gulfport’s Sept. 3 Council meeting, with Council ultimately voting to restore $5,000 to the line item before approving the budget.
Mayor Karen Love said a proposed reduction of roughly two-thirds to the tree budget was too severe. After noting that about $20,000 had been removed, Love proposed putting $5,000 back.
Residents repeatedly asked Council to protect tree spending during public comment. Several said the City should focus on getting trees into the ground, while one resident suggested moving money from the Looper into trees.
Vice Mayor Marlene Shaw said Gulfport’s tree canopy helps reduce stormwater flooding. Ward III Councilmember Jennifer Webb argued that tree giveaways alone would not build the canopy the City wants, while Shaw emphasized that the fund’s purpose is planting, not distribution.
“The tree fund is to plant trees,” Shaw said. “Not free tree giveaways.”
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 Flock cameras, millage rates, small budget items, garbage rates, and Spirit of Gulfport Award.
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