Municipal Election Information

April 25, 2009

Primary Elections — May 05, 2009

General Election — June 02, 2009

• Residents east of Cowan Road vote at the Francis Collins Lifetime Fitness Center
• Residents west of Cowan Road vote at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center

Community News

March 28, 2009

Ward 5 Community Meeting

• Date/Time: Thursday April 2, 2009 (6:00 p.m.), Anniston Elementary School
• Do you want to know about the water/sewer repairs on Beach Drive?
• Are you interested in plans for the former VA hospital property?
• Are you curious about the city’s financial status in this economic recession?
• Do you have questions for your elected official and city employees?

Keep Gulfport Clean and Green Ward 5

April 27 – May 1: The city/county will be making a city-wide sweep for trash and debris. Be sure to place items close to the street without blocking traffic and be careful not to place items near gas or water lines. Dumpsters will be located at the Francis Collins Fitness Center in College Park and on Hancock Avenue at 31st Street.

Contact:

• Mark Bridenbeck at 868-5740 (mbridenbeck@gulfport-ms.gov)
• David Ornsbey at 868-5751 (dornsbey@gulfport-ms.gov)

Hazardous Waste – can be dropped off at Plant Jack Watson the 2nd Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon. Citizens can drop off tires, paint, oil, batteries and e-debris – but NO chemicals.

UPDATE: April 2nd meeting slides available below

Gulfport’s Financial Status

March 21, 2009

GULFPORT — On February 23, The Sun Herald reported that Gulfport “was broke.” This quote was from a workshop held by the City Council with city administration. As it turns out, this “alarm” sounded by Councilman Carriere had already been heard by city administration and they were quietly working to address the problem(s).

How did the city’s financial status reach this point?

• The FY 2009 budget, which I opposed, included a $13 million deficit.
• In the 1stQ of FY 2009, unforeseen costs forced the City Council to tap into savings of $11 million.
• In the 2ndQ of FY 2009 the effect of the national economic recession hit Gulfport and it was found that sales tax revenue projections (originally conservative) will fall short approximately $2 million.
• The city’s healthcare costs have increased approximately $2 million under the current contractor, which was selected by the previous City Council.
• While I and others were alarmed by these events, the administration had already begun to address the issues but had not yet informed the City Council. With Council support, the administration has enacted specific plans to shore up the city’s cash reserves (savings).

What, exactly, has the City Council and administration done to address the problem(s)?

• A hiring freeze has been implemented and is expected to save the city approximately $3 to $4 million in FY 2009.
• Departments have trimmed their budgets on average 6% to account for a savings of approximately $3 to $4 million in FY 2009.
• Fewer than 2% of capital projects have been put on hold. This does not include any projects that are underway or 100% funded.
• The administration is examining proposals for a new contractor for the city’s healthcare needs in an effort to save additional money.

What will the result of these changes mean for the city’s cash reserves at the end of FY 2009?

• It is projected that our cash reserves will be between $12 and $15 million at fiscal year’s end.
• In comparison, the cash reserves at the end of FY 2005 were $11 million.
• Despite Hurricane Katrina, an increasing Consumer Price Index, and a national economic recession, Gulfport will have greater cash reserves in 2009 than it did in 2005 under the previous City Council.