(Atlantic) The Atlantic City Council held a public hearing for the proposed Maximum Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2025 Wednesday evening.
Barbara Stensvad was the only citizen to comment. She reiterated the comments she made at last week’s School Board meeting protesting the increase in proposed property tax.
The hearing was closed and the City Council moved into their regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. At that time they held public hearings on the Proposal to Enter into an Essential Purpose Loan Agreement and a Proposal to Enter into a General Purpose Loan Agreement. The City of Atlantic has proposed to enter into a loan agreement (Essential Purpose) and to borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $450,000 for the purpose of paying the costs of acquiring vehicles and equipment for the municipal police and fire departments. The City also proposed to enter into a loan agreement (General Purpose and together with the Essential Purpose Loan Agreement) and to borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $360,000 for the purpose of paying the cost of acquiring emergency electric generators and improving and equipping the municipal library. It is now necessary to make provision for the levy of a debt service property tax in the 2024-2025 fiscal year for the payment of such principal and interest.
There were no comments during the public hearings. The Council approved a resolution authorizing and combining the loan agreements and approved the future issuance of General Obligation Bonds and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same.
Other items during Wednesday’s meeting:
*The City Council set a public hearing for April 17th to adopt the FY 2025 budget.
*The Council approved the contract and bonds for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project. On March 20th, the Council awarded the contract for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project to Hydro-Klean LLC for $91,500. This resolution provides legal protection to both the City and contractor through the form of a contract.
*The Council Approved the Retail Coach contract extension. During the March 20th City Council meeting, there was discussion and consensus that if the City were to renew their contract with Retail Coach, the following conditions would need to be in the agreement: $5,000 upon execution, $5,000 after three months with review by the Council, $5,000 after three months after the first review following another review, and the Council reserves the right to end the contract if progress is not made on business recruitment efforts. These conditions were communicated to Retail Coach and have been accepted.
*The Council approved an order to Terminate City Clerk Services Contract with Marne effective May 31, 2024. The City of Atlantic has been performing City Clerk services for the City of Marne for a few years. The Finance & Administration Department wishes to refocus its efforts on internal excellence and improvement. City Administrator John Lund said they do not have the resources to focus on administering services fairly to both the residents of Atlantic and Marne. While May 31st is the deadline for ending the contract, Marne may choose to do this sooner.
*And, an order to approve a professional service agreement with former City Clerk Barb Barrick to temporarily provide City Clerk Consulting Services for the City failed due to a lack of a motion. City Council Member Elaine Otte invoked rule number two to discuss this item.
Rich Tupper is currently the acting City Clerk.
