Minority residents treated unfairly, say Gulfport council members who refused meeting
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Three Black council members delayed a meeting over last-minute agenda changes.
- Officials cited unfair budget allocations to minority wards as a main concern.
- Council members criticized city leadership for undermining transparency norms.
What Gulfport Mayor Hugh Keating described as “gamesmanship” by a few City Council members after they forced delay of a scheduled public meeting was not that at all, the council members say.
Instead, they balked when numerous items were added to the agenda after it had been set. Further, the three council members, all of whom are Black, represent minority wards 1, 3 and 6. Ward 1 Councilman Kendal Buckner, Ward 3 Councilwoman Ella Holmes-Hines and Ward 6 Councilwoman Carrissa Corbett say a proposed annual budget presented to them hours before the scheduled meeting shortchanges their minority wards.
“The negative votes were a direct response to the administration and city leadership repeatedly providing budgets and critical agenda items at the last minute,” said a statement they issued Wednesday morning. “For example, the proposed city budget was delivered via email to council members at 9:34 a.m. on the day it was scheduled for discussion, leaving no meaningful time for review or for the public to be fully informed.
“Important items were added to the agenda without notice, a practice that began with the first meeting after this new administration was sworn in. While this may have been tolerated in past administrations, it is no longer acceptable and undermines transparency and proper governance.”
Like Keating, Buckner and Corbett started in their political positions July 1. Keating previously served as general counsel for the city.
South MS mayor issues statement
The three council members included their statement as a comment posted under a city of Gulfport Facebook post from the mayor about the canceled meeting.
In his statement, also emailed to the media, Keating acknowledged “several items” had been added to the agenda but did not specify what was added. He offered to withdraw added items so the meeting could be held, but the council voted 3-3 against the meeting. With a tie, the meeting could not proceed. The seventh council member, Ron Roland of Ward 2, was unable to attend because he was recently injured in an accident.
The council’s regular meetings fall on Tuesdays, but members will hold a special meeting Wednesday because the docket of claims must be approved. All other items are being moved to the next scheduled meeting on Sept. 2, Keating’s announcement said.
“Unfortunately, city employees, contractors, vendors, and citizens who had business before the council were inconvenienced and will need to return for a future meeting,” Keating said. “The basis for the negative votes remains unclear, and the administration was not made aware of any additional concerns that may have contributed to this outcome.”
The delayed meeting also shortens the time the city has to advertise and hold a public hearing on the budget, which must by law be adoped by Sept. 15.
Keating’s statement also said the council needs to communicate clearly with the administration. “Gamesmanship is not productive and such conduct does not engender a cooperative spirit,” his statement said.
But the council members said they have genuine concerns about budget funding disparities in minority wards, which affects “essential services and opportunities for residents in our communities.”
Their statement said: “Our votes were a principled stand for equity, accountability, and meaningful participation in the budget process — not ‘gamesmanship.’
“ . . . Our constituents deserve transparency, respect, and equitable treatment in city governance.”
This story was originally published August 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM.
