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Council briefed on parks budget as directors flag vacancies, natatorium repairs and AJ Holloway needs
Summary
Parks and Recreation staff told the Biloxi City Council the department is operating with 61 budgeted positions of which 51 were filled in June (about 20% vacancy) and proposed $384,000 in capital outlay for FY2026 including a sand filter replacement for the natatorium, vehicle and mower replacements, and roof work at the armory.
Parks and Recreation leaders told the Biloxi City Council at a special budget workshop that the department faces persistent staffing shortages and a list of deferred capital needs, while also trying to maintain facilities that support youth leagues and regional tournaments.
The issue in brief: Parks staff say they have 61 budgeted positions and 51 filled as of June, leaving roughly 10 vacancies (about 20 percent). The department proposed $384,000 in capital outlay for fiscal 2026, including a sand filter replacement for the natatorium, two vehicles, two mowers and an armory roof replacement. Staff and several council members also discussed repairing playgrounds, restroom facilities, portability options, and lighting, particularly at AJ Holloway Sportsplex.
Why it matters: Parks and recreation upkeep supports regular programming, youth sports and tourism-related tournaments that bring visitors, hotel stays and local spending. Staffing shortages and deferred maintenance reduce the department—s capacity to run programs and maintain field readiness.
Major details
- Staffing: Jamie, assistant parks and recreation director, said the department had 61 positions on the June roster and 51 staff filled "so that's about roughly 20%" vacancy. The shortage falls heaviest on field and maintenance crews, staff said, and managers are actively advertising positions.
- Capital requests: The department listed $384,000 in capital items for FY2026. Jamie described major items as the natatorium sand filter (about $120,000), an armory roof replacement, replacement lane ropes and two vehicles plus two mowers. Jamie said the sand filter was originally installed in the late 1980s and filter media typically has a 25-to-30-year useful life.
- AJ Holloway Sportsplex: Council members and staff discussed AJ Holloway as a growing sports hub. Councilman Creel urged more investment in complementary amenities (signage, water fountains, temporary fencing and lighting), saying tournaments generate substantial hotel, retail and food spending in the area. Parks staff said turf maintenance and enforcement of facility rules (for example, discouraging sunflower seeds on turf) are ongoing operational challenges; Parks Director Shoemaker noted staff used a thermometer that registered as high as 140 degrees on the turf during hot periods.
- Operations and repairs: Council members suggested short-term, cost-effective fixes such as prefab restroom buildings and portable toilets where appropriate. Staff said they are assessing which buildings can be repaired, which should be replaced with prefabs, and which need demolition. Facilities discussed included Point Cadet, Pops Ferry/Margaret Sherry area, Snyder Center, Gruetsch Community Center and the Town Green.
- Fees and revenue: Parks staff said they are studying whether to raise sports registration and summer-camp fees to better cover officiating and program costs, and they plan to present data to administration before proposing fee changes.
Discussion vs. decisions
- Discussion: Council members pressed staff for details on capital priorities, the timeline to fill vacant positions and whether temporary or prefabricated restrooms would be more cost-effective than permanent facilities.
- Direction/assignment: Parks leadership was asked to provide a clearer list of capital priorities and cost estimates in advance of the public hearing and to continue efforts to advertise and recruit for vacant positions. Staff also said they would explore shared services with Harrison County and other partners where appropriate.
- Formal action: The council approved scheduling the next budget workshop (motion recorded separately). No capital appropriations or fee changes were voted on at this meeting.
Ending
Parks and Recreation leaders said they will provide more detailed capital estimates before the public budget hearing and continue recruiting to fill vacancies; council members signaled interest in prioritizing investments at AJ Holloway Sportsplex to support tournaments and local programming.
