Amendment to GPT SFM LLC contract approved amid calls for forensic audit

At a special-call meeting in Gulfport, officials voted to approve a resolution amending the city's contract with GPT SFM LLC. The motion was called for a vote after a committee member read a constituent letter that criticized the contract's cost and the contractor's performance.

"We are paying over $1,000,000 and getting back a fraction of that," the Committee member said while reading the letter, which argued the city is paying more than $1,300,000 a year to a private operator while receiving only modest concession revenue. The letter said concession receipts are about $31,000 to be split, leaving the city with roughly $15,000, and raised questions about a roughly $50,000 position tied to the contract whose duties and necessity were not described. It also said the contractor reports meeting 95% of KPIs while community users experience poorly maintained fields, lights being shut off early and scheduling problems.

The reader urged transparency and called for a forensic audit, saying in part, "This is exactly why community keeps calling for the forensic audit." After the remarks, the Chair called the question on the motion to approve Amendment No. 4 to the GPT SFM LLC contract; members voiced "aye," and the Chair instructed the vote be recorded. The transcript records no opposing ayes for that vote.

The constituent letter and the committee member framed the concerns as accountability and responsible spending for Gulfport taxpayers; the meeting record does not show a staff response to the specific allegations during the special call. The resolution to approve the amendment remains on the record as passed; the transcript does not specify immediate next steps for follow-up or any staff report schedule.