Ward 1 Candidate Question of the Week: What Is an Emergency?

Voters will head to the polls March 13 to decide who will represent them as Gulfport City Council member for Wards 1 and 3.

To help inform the community, Patch will publish a City Council candidate Question of the Week for both wards.

Below, you will find the answers for the Ward 1 Candidates: David Hastings and Dan Liedtke.

This week's question was a user submitted question.

Gulfport Patch Question of the Week: "What is an emergency? How will our funds be used when there is an emergency? What will we do when there is an emergency fund shortfall?"

Dan Liedtke

Dan Liedtke has declined to answer the question on this forum and is asking readers to view his answer in the FAQ section of his website.

Based on information from the candidate's website, here is a synopsis of his views in reference to this week's question of the week.

Liedtke stated that "Emergency Ordinances" and "Emergency Appropriations" are defined in the Gulfport City Charter under sections 310 and 311. He added that the definitions explain that an emergency "may only be adopted in accordance with the provisions of state law to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens."

Liedtke adds that utilizing the funds to deal with an emergency may "only be done with at least four-fifths" of the members of Gulfport City Council and should be addressed after a recommendation by the Gulfport City Manager.

Liedtke writes that if surplus funds are not assigned, the Council may appropriate funding by "passing an emergency ordinance authorizing the issuance of emergency bonds, as defined by State Law."

Liedtke adds that how the funds will be used depends on what type of an emergency officials face.

David Hastings

"What is an emergency?  

"Chapter 8, Section 8-2, Definitions of the Gulfport Code of Ordinances defines an Emergency....   Emergency means a condition which threatens or adversely affects the public health, safety or security and which is or threatens to be beyond the control of those public and private agencies normally responsible for the management of such a condition, resulting from an act or threatened act of war, riot, terrorism, mob or other act of violence; from a weather event such as flood, hurricane or tornado; from a disruption in the city's utility system; or from any other cause.

"How will our funds be used when there is an emergency?

"Depending upon the type and severity of our emergency, we could expect to require an increased presence in police, fire and other city employees like our Building Official and Code Enforcement resulting in a tremendous amount of additional payroll expense. We would likely require the purchase of materials and equipment. We could also expect to hire various outside specialty contractors to assist our city employees in a timely reaction to our emergency. Understand that these additional expenses could start as early as the preparation phase for an impending adverse event.

"What will we do when there is an emergency fund shortfall?

"Article III, Section 311(b) of the Charter authorizes the City Council to borrow the funds necessary to cover our emergency expenses when there is no available unapropriated surplus."

For more information about David Hastings view his website.