[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6392276,"mediaKeyId","2110023-2d21f8fcf4c1cba5cf306b68b3238a1a","parentId",2110023,"title","Votes at a glance: Biloxi council approves nail salon, right-of-way vacation; consent agenda passes","audioSeconds",703,"startMs",3416000,"endMs",4119000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2110023-2d21f8fcf4c1cba5cf306b68b3238a1a&start=3416&end=4119","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2110023-2d21f8fcf4c1cba5cf306b68b3238a1a/thumbnail_3416000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6392276/Biloxi/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Votes-at-a-glance-Biloxi-council-approves-nail-salon-right-of-way-vacation-consent-agenda-passes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392276-0f9e37fa32ddcb7be2fff1be2569be20/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211484&Signature=FiE1fdL~CZvPZcCRZ-CCnMrFzD7jhpDOvAPUxMSig2J4eHADEFs59oAQUN7i52vB94QNdO7bkSUtfs6fZRruuSr6mbMqOjC0LVRE5OfZY7Cas3w~f66EkNS5CSJwKVbyyuRISQrPKh-apmF2WV-Xu~drcsBitNAx2Qz3EWVEloHNCqezxlEELn8fumtIQRgHvOTSWLqkCj3khxOEeyLDphXssbDBs2S0r4FAggEAYPurNN4993oMADDguH~eMQir0iLu1nqmSHSkbweGvk6SkJDY5CQBIMOSXC3bxXbUgP0fL9fQpJsAtDndFiEl3~hXb2yGzKyEEJpwEdorwlOc~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Biloxi","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","Key formal actions at the Biloxi City Council meeting included approval of a personal‑service establishment conditional use for a nail salon, vacation of an unimproved right‑of‑way and the passage of the consent and routine agendas. A separate conditional‑use request for a short‑term rental on Porter Avenue failed after debate (see separate coverage).

Votes and outcomes recorded on the agenda:

- Resolution granting conditional-use approval for a personal-service (nail salon) at 2462 Pass Road: approved 6–0. The council found the site suitable; staff noted plans must be stamped by a registered professional for commercial construction.

- Resolution granting vacation of a dedicated but unimproved right‑of‑way (portion between Division Street and the railroad corridor near Magnolia): approved 6–0. Staff said the southern portion had been vacated earlier and that approval would allocate the right‑of‑way property to adjacent owners.

- Consent agenda (multiple items, including change orders and contracts listed on the published consent agenda): approved 6–0.

- Routine agenda (standard staff items and reports): approved 6–0.

Additional notes: The council earlier approved a motion to suspend the rules at the start of the meeting (approved 6–0). Several code‑enforcement cases were noted as resolved by staff during the code hearings; some properties remain in violation and were scheduled for follow‑up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Biloxi City Council Meeting Jan. 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its first 2025 meeting the Biloxi City Council approved a personal-service (nail salon) conditional use at 2462 Pass Road and vacated a dedicated unimproved right-of-way, and it passed the consent and routine agendas; a separate conditional-use request for a Porter Avenue short-term rental failed.","taxTitle","Biloxi, Harrison County, Mississippi","taxId",52209,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6392280,"Residents press council on homelessness, property blight and a community garden proposal",354,2694000,3048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2110023-2d21f8fcf4c1cba5cf306b68b3238a1a&start=2694&end=3048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2110023-2d21f8fcf4c1cba5cf306b68b3238a1a/thumbnail_2694000.jpg","/articles/6392280/Biloxi/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Residents-press-council-on-homelessness-property-blight-and-a-community-garden-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392280-71fe633fb949091ecd97a39e24d578b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211484&Signature=CY5YibcFp3Lp12NfMyRUjmiNV2rC4~CG28fp~8JHPn4Cek~voqRi2mplciJKVMPl~rC9dCfm~KZriXGqogfKtbl~ZcQlAxmeJhfQytOb8Sd~fMbpndrm3BHc-U0l8KcZj-m0E1qM5TGLHo6Us7Eu147qT86Y4SvFs9mZ~iwwMYfCphQ1ieysne6YaTuK8OWl20WffIoXfyqqAhXtoDex5GOuVdjyxMjziOsObw1oPYv~O1Ymf5QJyLMzV6KAHE97b9QG6WBXjb-wZW~jYa9blpwXa-0hMWCpS~DC0vuQ-wisKJIbPeO~8DLLdQR4qqfEjje2MLIg5WSesWk7Io8BeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the council’s public‑comment period to press the city for firmer action on homeless encampments, property blight and neighborhood disputes, and to propose a community garden.

Brian Ostovitz said people were living in vehicles and leaving “mounds and mounds of trash” along Bull Market Lake Road near the Biloxi River and asked the city to investigate because floodwater can carry debris into the river. “My concern is, what’s going on with the waste? What’s the garbage happening with?” Ostovitz said. He said code enforcement officers told neighbors they could not act because the property was obscured by tarps covering the encampment.

Tricia Hatton, who lives on Ridgeway Drive, said a storm-damaged house at 1768 Ridgeway Drive sheltering a mother and two children remained unrepaired for months. Hatton said she and other neighbors repeatedly contacted code enforcement and were told no violations had been issued; a dumpster arrived in late November after the September storm. “This is unacceptable for my neighborhood,” Hatton said.

Resident Wayne Gray urged the council to set aside three city parcels for a community vegetable garden and advocated a regional approach to ‘rough sleeping’ with nearby jurisdictions to create a program of counseling and small housing options. “If Biloxi, D'Iberville, Gulfport, Harrison County comes together and adopts a rough sleeping ordinance and find a place where all 4 communities can come together and start a facility for them to start over in life,” Gray said.

Julie Tang, describing herself as representing Starsea LLC, told the council neighbors were spreading false rumors about her property and that she has experienced harassment. She asked the city to ensure code enforcement does not act on inaccurate complaints.

Councilors and staff responded during the meeting and in subsequent council reports. Staff said code enforcement had visited some properties and that certain cases were resolved; the mayor and council also discussed ongoing monitoring of known sites (including regular checks near a methadone clinic and cleaning at Broadwater property). Public works and harbor maintenance staff said they patrol and perform cleanup duties in port areas and would add hourly checks of a walkway elevator at Small Craft Harbor.

Speakers asked for clearer enforcement, faster response times and coordination among city departments; several also requested follow-up from staff.","Public speakers urged stronger code enforcement and action on homeless encampments, cited specific problem properties and proposed a community vegetable garden and regional approach to rough sleeping.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6392285,"Council rejects conditional-use request for short-term rental at Porter Avenue property",1517,2493000,4010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2110023-2d21f8fcf4c1cba5cf306b68b3238a1a&start=2493&end=4010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2110023-2d21f8fcf4c1cba5cf306b68b3238a1a/thumbnail_2493000.jpg","/articles/6392285/Biloxi/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Council-rejects-conditional-use-request-for-short-term-rental-at-Porter-Avenue-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392285-60b139c20fbebbb92ae8a08defaa255f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211484&Signature=PqVqOIm10DTxaZ~H9Xju5w1qacFr1ByZF7Gt2FyE52n4ynfj0da3eyNbxmwiUZf~zVmKw6MjMY7I1FyQIOaJK94w1vU1Ru55qrxZ0ZkdSuaHMV108P9BTb0SLSaz03AvNNcAO81EJUQpjgwVDXjZLbR8~~jJhSJq3UZjdweRnH~yHsPAe4Amg56W4WbT1tIXyeKrbimGrIdsQorBVFv51qQ-Nj~4qSgYJPLg1jLLmxovdth9eF42DBmw51UXGS8dD2sQ4~ptv~-wK8TDtXK5m3JkXCXXtCVcL7X8x9v1NxaDlQedJt2Yz8w29dsnseSJVOSUwOxgpJr9kdm6zwUhyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Biloxi City Council denied a request for conditional-use approval that would have authorized a short-term rental at 281 A&B Porter Avenue, voting 2–4 after public comment and council discussion about neighborhood compatibility.

Applicant Chris Hua spoke during the public comment period to request conditional use for the duplex, saying the owners have rented longer terms but seek to accommodate short stays, including Keesler Air Force Base visitors. “We do want to follow any regulations and pay any taxes we need to to satisfy the short term conditional use requirement,” Hua told the council.

Planning staff told the council the property is zoned RM-30 and that the Planning Commission recommended approval 12–0. City planner staff noted the parcel immediately north already holds an approved short-term rental and that the block otherwise is mostly single-family zoning.

Councilwoman Newman moved approval, and Councilman Guynes seconded. Several council members voiced opposition, saying the parcel is not compatible with the surrounding single-family neighborhood and that approving this request could encourage additional similar requests in that area. Councilman (last name not specified) said the council must look at compatibility and the limited number of RM‑20/RM‑30 conditional-use short-term rental slots remaining citywide.

City staff provided citywide permit counts during the discussion: 389 short-term rental approvals exist, 369 have active permits, and 351 have business licenses. Staff said that of the 75 slots the council authorized for RM‑20/RM‑30 conditional uses, 60 are already filled; approval of the pending items would have used two more slots and left 13 remaining.

The motion to approve failed 2–4. The record shows the motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Newman and seconded by Councilman Guynes. The council did not list individual roll-call votes on the record; the clerk recorded the final tally as a two‑yes, four‑no vote.

The applicant and supporters had argued the site is near restaurants, a supermarket and the Keesler Air Force Base entrance and that the duplex had been remodeled. Opponents cited consistency with single‑family zoning north of Division Street and the council’s prior denial of a similar request about a year earlier.

No new zoning change was approved; the property remains RM‑30 and may continue to be used for long‑term rental under current zoning.","After public comment and a 12–0 planning commission recommendation, the Biloxi City Council voted 2–4 to deny a conditional-use permit that would have allowed short-term rentals at 281 A&B Porter Avenue.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6392288,"Biloxi audit: outside auditor issues unmodified opinion, flags late single-audit filing",1137,477000,1614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2110023-2d21f8fcf4c1cba5cf306b68b3238a1a&start=477&end=1614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2110023-2d21f8fcf4c1cba5cf306b68b3238a1a/thumbnail_477000.jpg","/articles/6392288/Biloxi/Harrison-County/Mississippi/Biloxi-audit-outside-auditor-issues-unmodified-opinion-flags-late-single-audit-filing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392288-0f95fd65d9855fc2ecd089b57f344033/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211484&Signature=e5qfaAYeUnFBU69A3xsn95xX2FphWpOhKceAlwWelZV~9QSXX2NMswjlqyWBMkLHxHJvZm~RrTqH7AuRH06IY7ZUOimpOK~1C9QNUtGS6ntHVlIZGZ1-VdqTxtYNDnru3aUnMhkQ~FVgI18TLnRDrIgAZjCUoyHBDY5jtfdO6f9NgOGnteIC~ONwzeYVgEUWjDW-NF5rWXyu1w033BBNkz07VKk~71hBwvggiPgBdAhnPhJVQx-jHRVBQYdpdomnrqPOcKPfh~7lhfB7hhSry16KSO2Mv3foRogwaSERXCNeuDcf5AR4-Bqi0kDfg66X7-bpYmhuG3rDRfCAn~1fkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An independent audit of the City of Biloxi’s 2023 financial statements received an unmodified (clean) opinion, auditor Kim Marbleich told the City Council during its first meeting of 2025. The audit report also documents a late Single Audit filing; the auditor said the city is now current and the next Single Audit is due June 30, 2025.

The auditor said the report covers two sets of financial statements: government-wide full-accrual statements and fund-level statements used for daily management. “You have received an unmodified opinion,” Kim Marbleich said, noting that the audit report and two accompanying letters (a governance letter and a management letter) were delivered to council members.

The audit highlighted several items the council may want to note. Federal expenditures totaled about $28,700,000 this year, much of it tied to disaster assistance, which triggered a Single Audit. Marbleich said the city had four major federal programs selected for audit this year — ARPA counted as one automatically — because other grant programs required coverage under Office of Management and Budget selection rules.

At the fund level, the auditor reported a $1.9 million decrease in General Fund cash and a $1.4 million decrease in receivables tied to collection of lease receivables. The audit shows the General Fund had a board-committed balance of $1.4 million and that ARPA funds were recorded as unearned revenue and “committed” as of Dec. 31, 2024. In the proprietary Water and Sewer fund, the presentation reflected completion of about $167 million in capital projects, which moved costs from construction-in-progress into depreciable capital assets.

Marbleich also noted accounting changes recorded on the government‑wide statements, including a new liability category related to GASB 96 (subscriptions) and the recognition of net pension liabilities. The city recorded roughly $1.7 million in capital leases in 2023 related to fire truck acquisitions, the auditor said.

Council members pressed about the audit’s timeliness. Marbleich said the delay was driven in part by the city’s trial balance arriving much later than planned (she said the firm had expected it in January but received it in June), and by the workload of fieldwork and follow-up questions. “When we missed that first [target], we have to start working in and around other jobs that we have,” Marbleich told council members.

Marbleich recommended the city provide complete audit information to the auditor by March 1 to meet the June 30, 2025 Single Audit deadline. Council members and staff thanked the audit team and the city controller for their work. The presentation included an accounting management letter with nonmaterial recommendations intended to strengthen processes; Marbleich said none of the comments rose to the level of a significant deficiency or material weakness.

Questions from councilors clarified other details reported in the audit, including that the city’s “miscellaneous” governmental revenue category includes water and sewer administration fees, cemetery lot sales, recoveries and settlements, and similar items. Marbleich also reminded the council that the audit report includes detailed note disclosures, compliance testing results and the Single Audit schedule of federal expenditures.

The council did not take formal action on the audit during the meeting beyond receiving the presentation.","External auditors told the Biloxi City Council the city received an unmodified opinion for its 2023 financial statements, noted the Single Audit filing was late but is now current, and said four federal programs were audited this year because of ARPA and other selection rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Biloxi council approves nail salon, right-of-way vacation; consent agenda passes

Residents press council on homelessness, property blight and a community garden proposal

Council rejects conditional-use request for short-term rental at Porter Avenue property

Biloxi audit: outside auditor issues unmodified opinion, flags late single-audit filing