Biloxi council reviews proposed FY2025–26 budget, grapples with $4–5 million gap and millage confusion

The Biloxi City Council held a public budget workshop and hearing to review the proposed fiscal year budget beginning Oct. 1 and ending Sept. 30, 2026, and to answer questions from council members and staff. The presentation showed roughly $75 million to $76 million in projected general fund revenue against roughly $84.3 million in total expenditures, producing a shortfall that councilors described as roughly $4 million to $5 million and that the city proposes to cover with reserve balances and other actions.

Why it matters: the council must set a balanced operating budget before the fiscal year begins while preserving reserves to pay bills and maintain services; councilors pressed staff about how revenue estimates and one-time sources interact with recurring expenses such as salaries and equipment financing.

City finance staff told the council the projected beginning general fund cash balance is about $13.5 million and that the projected…