Military exercises could start in Biloxi next week

BILOXI -- The City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to allow a boat team with U.S. Special Operations Command to conduct military exercises in the city beginning Wednesday.

A representative from the command asked Police Chief John Miller for approval of the military exercises for 10 days -- from Wednesday through March 4.

USSOCOM has conducted similar exercises in Biloxi in the past, the resolution says, and they "pose no risk to the city's citizens, visitors, businesses or infrastructure."

Businesses will benefit financially from the exercises, the resolution said.

The exercises are intended to be semi-covert, but at times could be visible to the public.

Miller said in a memorandum he reviewed the training request for Special Boat 22 Realistic Military Training. All training will be coordinated with his office and a police representative will be present if required or requested to cordon off an area and provide security during the training, he said.

The remainder of Tuesday's agenda is light, with the only two other items an ordinance to require separate water meters for multi-family dwellings and approval of $15,240 from the fire department budget for fire promotional items.

This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Military exercises could start in Biloxi next week ."