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Biloxi Mayor Addresses Budget Shortfall and Proposed Property Tax Increase Amid Inflation

Biloxi Mayor Addresses Budget Shortfall and Proposed Property Tax Increase Amid Inflation

Biloxi Mayor Andrew 'FoFo' Gilich announced that the city's revenues have not kept pace with inflation, leading to a budget gap that requires immediate attention before a mid-September deadline. To address this shortfall, a three-mill property tax increase is scheduled for consideration at an upcoming city council meeting. Mayor Gilich stated that this increase would cost the owner of a $200,000 home approximately $5 per month, or $60 annually. He explained that while the city has previously used unrestricted cash balances to cover such gaps, this approach is no longer sustainable. The city council will have the final authority on whether to implement the proposed tax increase. Additionally, Gilich discussed a state law allowing retired public employees to return to their positions at 80% of their salary after a 30-day waiting period, a policy being utilized by several city employees, including Police Chief DeBack.
The Corpus Christi Caller Times The Corpus Christi Caller Times
There's still time for you to weigh in on Corpus Christi city budget

There's still time for you to weigh in on Corpus Christi city budget

The city of Corpus Christi is holding more public meetings where residents can share input on how the city spends money in the next fiscal year.
The Corpus Christi Caller Times The Corpus Christi Caller Times
Third City Council member joins race for Corpus Christi mayor

Third City Council member joins race for Corpus Christi mayor

A third sitting Corpus Christi City Council member has thrown her hat into the ring for the mayor’s office.
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Avalon Extends Outdoor Live Music Hours for Gully’s Bar Following Community Outcry

Avalon Extends Outdoor Live Music Hours for Gully’s Bar Following Community Outcry

Avalon Extends Outdoor Live Music Hours for Gully’s Bar Following Community Outcry
Ventura County Star, Camarillo Ventura County Star, Camarillo
Who's running for city council, mayor this November? Here's the lineup

Who's running for city council, mayor this November? Here's the lineup

Local voters will decide dozens of races in the November election. See who's running for city council and mayor in Ventura County.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Knox County Mayor-elect Betsy Henderson taps leaders to bring vision to life

Knox County Mayor-elect Betsy Henderson taps leaders to bring vision to life

Two new faces will serve in the mayor's office, and a familiar one will stay on in the new administration.
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Cleveland's Slavic Village Tests 'People's Budget' Pilot Program Amidst Procedural Concerns

Cleveland's Slavic Village Tests 'People's Budget' Pilot Program Amidst Procedural Concerns

A six-month, $100,000 pilot program, spearheaded by Participatory Budgeting Cleveland (PB CLE), is nearing its conclusion in Cleveland's Slavic Village. The initiative aims to empower residents to identify neighborhood priorities and allocate funds accordingly. Residents of high-school age and older in Slavic Village are currently voting on 10 project proposals, selected from 125 submitted ideas, with the top five receiving funding. Projects include expanding a pet food pantry and creating a year-round garden center. The pilot is funded by $75,000 from the Cleveland Freedom Dreams Coalition and $25,000 from the Third Federal Foundation. While PB CLE asserts the program demonstrates the viability of community governance, some residents, including longtime activist Odetta Fields, have raised concerns regarding the voting process and the vetting of project proposals. Fields specifically questioned the lack of ID requirements for voting, the steering committee's influence over proposal selection, and the poten...
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Assistant Topeka City Attorney Mathew Mullen Charged with Misdemeanor Criminal Restraint

Assistant Topeka City Attorney Mathew Mullen Charged with Misdemeanor Criminal Restraint

Mathew Mullen, an assistant Topeka city attorney, has been charged with misdemeanor criminal restraint. A special prosecutor filed the charge on July 10 in Shawnee County District Court. Mullen was booked into the Shawnee County Jail on May 23 at 1:30 p.m., with court records alleging the crime victimized a woman and occurred earlier that day. He was released on May 24 at 5:30 p.m. after a $10,000 bond was posted. Mullen has been employed by the Topeka city attorney's office as a senior attorney since April 2023 and remains employed by the city, according to Mayor Spencer Duncan. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay explained that a special prosecutor, Jackson County attorney Bethany Lee, was appointed to avoid any appearance of impropriety and ensure an independent review of the matter, a common practice when potential conflicts of interest arise.
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Washington County Commission Criticizes Prior Administration Over Budget Oversight Amidst Cumulative Losses

Washington County Commission Criticizes Prior Administration Over Budget Oversight Amidst Cumulative Losses

The Washington County Commission in Maine has strongly criticized the prior administration for a lack of management, leadership, and oversight after accepting the 2023 audit, which revealed the county ended that year with a $1.2 million deficit. Finance Director Jenny Windsor, hired in April, reported that the 2023 audit was completed on schedule and confirmed the significant net loss. Windsor also highlighted that audits from 2019 through 2022 consistently showed net losses, indicating a cumulative four-year loss of $2.2 million, which, combined with the 2023 deficit, led to a substantial request of $6.9 million from taxpayers in 2025. Commissioner Billy Howard stated that Windsor's summary demonstrated a clear "lack of management, leadership and oversight for years," while Commission Chair David Burns expressed discomfort with a proposed 40% budget increase for 2027, questioning the county's affordability.
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Mayor Mamdani Begins Weeklong Vacation; First Deputy Mayor to Oversee New York City Operations

Mayor Mamdani Begins Weeklong Vacation; First Deputy Mayor to Oversee New York City Operations

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has commenced a weeklong vacation, spending time with his family in upstate New York. City Hall announced that the Mayor will not be holding any public events during this period but will remain in regular communication with his senior staff to receive updates. While the specific location of his upstate stay was not disclosed, First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan has been appointed to oversee the day-to-day operations of the city in Mayor Mamdani's absence. Mayor Mamdani is expected to return to his duties in one week.
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Mary Lupien reflects on leading through a turbulent era | Exclusive

Mary Lupien reflects on leading through a turbulent era | Exclusive

Rochester Councilmember Mary Lupien reflects on her years in office, key accomplishments, challenges and plans for the future.
Springfield News-Leader Springfield News-Leader
Springfield voters should think hard before changing charter | Opinion

Springfield voters should think hard before changing charter | Opinion

This writer urges Springfield voters to scrutinize Question 3 on the November ballot, which would shift control of city purchasing rules.