Photo by Christopher Collier
Gulfport City Council approved a garbage rate increase and covered several other items of business at its Sept. 3 meeting, including a stormwater infrastructure update and a push for long-term strategic planning.
Garbage Rates Advance
Council unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance 2026-11, raising the standard residential garbage rate from $34.29 to $36 per month beginning Oct. 1, with a further increase to $38.88 scheduled for the following fiscal year. The ordinance passed 5-0.
The discussion centered on rising disposal costs and tipping fees. Council members also revisited whether changes to collection frequency could reduce expenses, an issue the City has studied previously.
[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, and smaller budget items.
Other Gulfport Business
City Manager James O’Reilly updated Council on a stormwater backflow-valve project involving 13 valves. The project is expected to cost about $200,000, with the City responsible for roughly half.
During Council comments, Ward III Councilmember Jennifer Webb pushed for a town hall and a strategic-planning workshop. She said Gulfport is one of relatively few cities without a strategic plan and argued that the upcoming comprehensive-plan process gives the City an opportunity to approach long-term planning differently.
Gulfport also recognized Eileen Navarro with the Spirit of Gulfport Award, given to community members who go out of their way to be kind, help others, and make Gulfport a better place.
The next Gulfport City Council meeting is Sept. 15 at 6 p.m.
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