Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich will ask the Biloxi City Council on Tuesday for the first realignment of Biloxi municipal government in more than two decades, creating a new city department from existing staff to better address the existing and new challenges Biloxi will be facing in economic development, management of cultural resources and improving the quality of life.
“After reviewing operations for a couple months, I see a strong need to refocus some efforts and redirect others,” Gilich said. “This reorganization will increase opportunities and create others at MGM Park, the Visitors and Civic centers, Saenger Theater, Mardi Gras Museum, Point Cadet Plaza, Lighthouse Park, and other city initiatives, such as Cruisin’ the Coast, Main Street and others.”
The Civic Innovation & Development Department, if approved, would join the departments of Administration, Community Development, Fire, Legal, Parks & Recreation, Police and Public Works.
Functions of the new department had been divided between the Administration, Community Development and Parks & Recreation departments.
The Civic Innovation & Development Department also will help manage the city’s significant financial commitments to the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, and other cultural assets and special events.
Gilich said, “We will challenge this department to stimulate and expand economic development and expect it to pull more than its weight.”
Read the measure that would create the new department
News and notes
Weekend preview: For a look at the weekend’s entertainment offerings – including Melissa Etheridge, Kenny Rogers, Yes & Toto and more – click here.
Council preview: The Biloxi City Council will conduct two meetings on Tuesday: a 10:30 a.m. budget meeting and a regularly scheduled 1:30 p.m. meeting. To see the agendas and supporting documents, click here.
City Desk: Chief Administrative Officer David Nichols discusses the ongoing budget hearings, Katrina events and more in this week’s City Desk podcast. To listen to the nine-minute program, click here.
Community Development: The Planning Commission has given the green light to an IP plan to better align the north end of Fayard Stree. To read more, click here.
