The state received control of the State Port from the City of Gulfport in 1961 and the Legislature mandated that the port be operated by the Board of Economic Development acting through a five-member State Port Authority. The Research and Development Center estimates that the port’s current annual state economic impact is approximately $74 million.
PEER concludes that the Board of Economic Development and State Port Authority have not adequately supervised port activities nor established measurable goals and objectives. As a result, the port’s personnel system, accounting structure, and recordkeeping procedures are inadequate and ineffective. In addition, the port does not age its accounts receivable and is not effectively collecting money owed from port users. As of December 31, 1985, the port’s doubtful accounts category totaled $575,384.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.