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Organizer asks Biloxi council to waive $2,500 permit fee for Tunnel to Towers fundraiser
Summary
Jason Stearman, a local sponsor of Tunnel to Towers, asked the council to waive a $2,500 special-event permit fee for the organization's 5K and stair-climb, saying the nonprofit uses funds to build mortgage-free homes and assist Gold Star families and catastrophically injured veterans.
Jason Stearman addressed the council during public comment on March 3 to request a waiver of a $2,500 special-event permit fee for Tunnel to Towers’ upcoming 5K and stair-climb fundraiser.
Stearman described the national nonprofit’s work and local impact, saying Tunnel to Towers provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families and builds smart homes for catastrophically injured first responders and veterans: “They give mortgage free homes to gold star families . . . and they build smart homes without mortgages for catastrophically injured first responders and military,” he said. He urged the council to consider waiving the city permit fee so those funds can remain with the charity.
Mayor Gillich said he would champion a waiver if the organization qualifies under existing policies. Stearman told the council the group is a certified 501(c)(3) and that a waiver would allow the nonprofit to redirect funds to program work and that the event draws tourism and local spending.
No final council vote on the fee waiver was recorded at the meeting; staff indicated the standard special-event ordinance and fee-waiver criteria would apply when the request returns to the council.
