Budget Talks Get Contentious in Gulfport By Laura Mulrooney
Vice Mayor Michael Fridovich accused Ward One Councilwoman April Thanos of trying to run a shadow government, Gulfport city staff announced plans to reopen the police department and city hall lobbies, and Thanos told council she wanted to take money from the police department to build pickleball courts. This all happened at the Thursday, September 3 city council meeting. While most city council meetings take place on Tuesdays, as with many things in 2020, COVID-19 played a part in the change, according to the city clerk’s office. In anticipation of the statutory permission to hold virtual meetings expiring, the city planned to hold the meeting at the Catherine A. Hickman Theater, which didn’t have Septmber 1 availability. In the meeting, council discussed finalizing the fiscal year 2020-21 budget, millage rates (again) and shared their concerns over Thanos’ Gulfport Sustainability Committee.
$4.2 Million for Gulfport Council held a first reading and public hearing discussing millage rates and the finalized operational budget for fiscal year 2020-2021. The city’s property tax rate — 4.039 mils, or $4.04 per $1,000 of taxable value for property owners — has not changed in almost 10 years, according to City Manager Jim O’Reilly. This, staff reported, will generate approximately $4,250,765 in revenue for Gulfport. While the tax rate has stayed flat, Gulfport property values have increased by 8.39%. Given the tax rate and the higher property value, Gulfport’s total property value totals $85,731,674. While the ordinance setting the tax rate passed without much discussion, the operational budget took a bit more of the spotlight. Thanos voted “no” on the city’s 2020-2021 budget, telling council she wanted to take some of the $65,000 earmarked for the Gulfport Police Department’s K-9 unit and perhaps $20,000 from the $400,000 paving budget for tennis/
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pickleball courts. Over the past few city council meetings Thanos has voiced disapproval of the Gulfport Police Department investing in K-9 units. “I think, especially during a pandemic, when people want to be socializing and outdoors, that that would be a better use of that money, and for that reason I wouldn’t support this budget,” said Thanos. In spite of Thanos’ objection, council passed the budget with a four-to-one vote. Council will vote once again on the city’s operational budget on its September 15 meeting.
City Manager Report City Manager Jim O’Reilly announced the September 8 reopening of the Gulfport City Hall lobby, police department lobby and the Community Redevelopment and Building Department. “We’re still encouraging online submission of plans and applications electronically,” said O’Reilly “We will phase in customers coming in.” Recreation will expand from after-school programming to adult classes and Teen Night — provided participants agree to practice social distancing and wear masks. GEMs operations will expand, but the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center will remain closed; the Catherine Hickman Theater and the Gulfport Casino also remain closed for large gatherings. The city will end its utility assistance program at the end of September. The program, called R3, supported 127 residences with more than $36,000 in grants, according to O’Reilly. The city will also resume charging the $3.25 convenience fee for online credit card payments on October 1.
Unforeseen Williams Pier Repairs Add Almost $150k to cost Although Williams Pier renovations remain on track, workers found more damage than they expected. Council
agreed to pay the extra $148,585.00 to Midcoast Construction. Gulfport Public Works Director Tom Nicholls told council the repairs, once completed, should last 15 to 20 years, although the city would have to pay for other maintenance and repairs over the next decade. While the cost has increased, Midcoast told city staff the work should still get completed by Halloween.
Town Shores May get $1.2 for Water Improvements The city of Gulfport wants Town Shores residents to give them input on a Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Community Development Block Grant. The grant, which could total more than $1.2 million, will pay for water pipeline improvements in one section of Town Shores. The city will not have to repay the grant. The city will accept feedback until September 11. Email the Public Works Director Tom Nicholls at tnicholls@ mygulfport.us with comments. Learn more about the project at mygulfport.us/deo.
Gambling on the Casino Dock? Council will revisit resolution No. 2020-48, concerning Casino Dock Renovation and Replacement, during the September 15 meeting. The top bidder, Docks by the Bay, LLC, rescinded their offer. The city manager will seek out another vendor.
Gulfport Sustainability Committee Draws Ire Councilmember April Thanos spoke to council and residents on September 3 about Gulfport’s Sustainability Committee. Since she won her position as Ward 1 representative in March, Thanos founded the Gulfport Sustainability Committee. Thanos designed Gulfport’s Sustainability Committee to help
theGabber.com | September 10 - September 16, 2020
