Council reviews draft budget that trims positions; police chief warns service strain

Councilors began department‑by‑department review of a draft FY2027 municipal budget that proposes roughly 25 fewer filled positions and several program cuts; the discussion focused heavily on the police department’s staffing, vehicle and equipment shortfalls and the operational risk of running short.

Chief Everett, speaking for the Biloxi Police Department, told the council that the department pared a ‘‘wish list’’ down from about $24.15 million to a target near $23.09 million but still faces persistent vacancies and operational strain. He listed staffing gaps across patrol and specialty units and said the department can ‘‘make it work’’ in the short term but warned it cannot add services without more personnel or funding.

Everett said the department’s ideal sworn patrol complement is 147 officers; current sworn staffing is roughly 132. He estimated the additional recurring cost to reach 147 sworn officers at a little over $1 million (salary, benefits and outfitting), and he said vehicle purchases were cut in the draft from 11 patrol units to 3. ‘‘We can maintain what we’re doing. We can’t add to it,’’ Everett said, adding that many tasks would be prioritized: in‑progress calls and medical calls will come first.

Council members questioned whether the proposed reductions represent a hiring freeze or simply mass vacancies. Administration (Weaver) said the 25‑position reduction largely reflects vacant slots and positions that will not be funded when the next fiscal year begins; it is a first draft and subject to revision. Council members repeatedly asked whether reduced positions will lower service frequency; administrators and department heads agreed the frequency of some services could be affected and committed to showing department‑level impact in follow‑up workshops.

Everett also highlighted event costs and overtime: he said he counted as many as 30 events, and in a sample of 17 events the overtime bill totaled about $417,313. He said the department relies on mutual aid (Harrison County and state partners) for many large events and that sustained cuts would increase reliance on outside agencies. Council members and the chief discussed potential grant sources (COPS hiring grants, homeland security funds, justice assistance) and alternatives like contracted security or remote video response, with Everett noting legal and operational constraints for remote response.

Administration and councilors discussed communication and other departmental cuts as well: the legislative newsletter (BNews) was largely cut back to required mailers, and departments were tasked to identify service impacts and potential revenue options. The council did not finalize the budget at this meeting; the draft will proceed through additional departmental presentations and revisions before any vote.

Next steps: departments will present more detailed line‑item impacts in follow‑up workshops and the council will revisit the draft budget in future meetings.