Several nonprofits seek city support in non-departmental budget review; requests cover shelter, museum, events and facade grants

During the Biloxi City Council—udget review, representatives from local nonprofits made public requests for continued or increased support in the non-departmental portion of the municipal budget. Why it matters: Non-departmental allocations fund a range of community services—rom domestic-violence shelters to tourism events and cultural facilities nd are considered alongside city priorities in the annual budget. Key requests and testimony: - Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum: Robin David, the museum—xecutive director, announced her planned retirement and introduced Brandon Boudreaux as the incoming executive director. The museum asked the council to continue support at the fiscal-year-2025 level for the museum—iting youth Sea & Sail Camp that served about 400 children this summer and ongoing FEMA reimbursement issues tied to recent hurricanes. - Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence: Stacy Riley, CEO, requested $40,000 (split $20,000 for the shelter and $20,000 for the organization—ut later the request was described as a general $40,000 ask) to support shelter operations and an off-site public location that provides housing case management and services to domestic-violence and human-trafficking survivors. Riley said the agency operates a 44-bed shelter and provides housing subsidies for 60 to 70 families along the Gulf Coast; she noted the agency nnual budget is about $5 million and that roughly $1 million must be raised locally from foundations, municipalities and other sources. - CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates): Cynthia Chauvin, director for South Mississippi CASA, requested level funding and explained CASA volunteers provide court-appointed advocacy for children in foster care. Chauvin said there were about 250 children in foster care in Harrison County and CASA currently serves roughly half; the program trained dozens of new volunteers in the past year but still needs funding to expand coverage. - Cruising the Coast: Woody Bailey, executive director, said the annual event drew nearly 10,000 registered vehicles last year and generates substantial economic impact; Bailey asked the council to continue prior-year city support. - Boom Boom Committee (fireworks): Jerry Monroe requested $15,000 for the fireworks budget to cover rising costs after the city provided $12,500 the prior year. - Greater Biloxi Economic Development Foundation: Bobby Gillen proposed a $25,000 start for a new facade grant program focused on Pass Road and Division Street corridors; Mississippi Power Foundation and the foundation itself have pledged matching support and Gillen said grants would be reimbursement-based (example: up to $5,000 reimbursed on a $10,000 project). Other brief presenters included Harrison County Soil & Water Conservation (a $5,000 request) and Motor Vehicle for Hire administrative overview (see separate article). Council response and next steps: Council members thanked the nonprofits for services and asked for detailed project budgets and program outcomes where applicable. The council did not take new appropriations at the public-comment portion; all requests will be considered as part of the formal non-departmental budget process.