Ocean Springs briefing: $9.25 million in new allocations, $5 million for Highway 90 utilities

Hailey Martin of the Capital Group told the Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen that the city did well at the 2026 legislative session, listing multiple appropriations and project wins. "So total, we came out at 9,250,000 of newly liberated funding," Martin said, and she identified major line items including $5,000,000 toward utility relocations for the Highway 90 widening project and a $1,500,000 capex allocation for downtown lighting, wayfinding and sidewalks.

Martin also explained that one major public-works relocation item was vetoed by the governor and that political leverage in the Mississippi Senate prevented an override despite a unanimous House override vote. "The house passed the override a 110 to 0," Martin said, adding that "the governor's office has discretion" for some discretionary funds distributed through agencies. She urged continued legislative engagement to protect reappropriated funds and to track grant funds to avoid clawbacks.

The mayor and aldermen asked follow-up questions about specific funding sources and application mechanics for coastal and restore-type grants. Staff and board members discussed project timing, the need for matching funds on federal appropriations, and next steps to advance Highway 90 and other priority projects through MDOT and federal committees. The presentation concluded with staff agreeing to circulate Martin's timelines and documentation to aldermen and to follow up on discretionary Tidelands funding and matching strategies.