How you can get involved in your city government

Biloxi residents have many ways to be a part of their city government. The City Council and other city boards have regularly scheduled meetings that are open to the public and where time is set aside for public comment.

Here's a list of regularly scheduled public meetings:

Biloxi City Council - The City Council meets regularly on the first, third and fourth Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council room on the second floor of City Hall, 140 Lameuse St. The meeting schedule may change in the event of holidays, and additional, special-called meetings are scheduled from time to time. Notice of all meetings is provided to the media in advance and posted on the city web site. You may also call the council office at 435-6257 to confirm meeting dates.

Biloxi Planning Commission - The Planning Commission, which is made up of 15 citizens appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, reviews development plans and makes recommendations to the City Council. The commission meets the first and third Thursday of every month at 2 p.m.. Meetings are in the auditorium of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Municipal Building, 676 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Architectural and Historical Review Commission - The ARC, which is made up of nine citizens appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, reviews plans and development in historic districts and at landmarks in the city. The ARC meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the auditorium of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Municipal Building, 676 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

What's on the agenda?

You can find agendas for City Council posted on the web by Friday at noon before the next Tuesday's meeting. The complete resolutions, when available, are posted along with the agenda. Click on City Council agenda at the top of this page or on the left side of the front page of the city web site. You may also receive a City Council agenda by fax by calling 435-6257.

The agenda for the Planning Commission will be posted on the web site a week before each meeting. The AHRC agenda will be posted the Monday before the Thursday meeting. To see the Planning and AHRC agendas, click on links at the top of this page or on Community Development on the right side of the front page of the city web site. You may also obtain either agenda by fax by calling 435-6266.

If you cannot attend a meeting...

Residents need not attend a meeting in person to have their voice heard on a particular issue. For issues before the Council, address your written comments to the Clerk of Council at P.O. Box 429, Biloxi, MS 39533-0429. You may also e-mail them to citycouncil@biloxi.ms.us or fax them to 435-6187. For issues before the Planning Commission or the ARC, address your written comments to the City Planner's Office, P.O. Box 508, Biloxi, MS 39533-0508. You may e-mail them to planning@biloxi.ms.us or fax them to 435-6188.

Be sure to note the issue at the very top of the comments and include your name, your address and contact information (for verification) at the bottom of your comments.