The Atlantic City Council has what’s expected to be a longer than normal session scheduled for Wednesday evening. That’s because they have discussion on their agenda pertaining to several matters, the biggest of which is the preliminary Fiscal Year 2018 Budget. City Administrator John Lund says the proposed budget amounts to slightly more than $12.493-million, which is a decrease over the FY 2017 budget of 14.78%, or more than $1.847-million.

In his budget summary, Lund says “Overall, Atlantic is in a strong financial position.” He added that this year’s budget was more of a challenge, though, due to action by the State Legislature, which negatively impacted cities through Commercial/Industrial Property Tax Reform and the Multi-residential property classification. As a result, the City will see notable losses in collections from tax revenue, amounting to a combined $126,718 to the General, Employee Benefit and Debt Service Funds. To make up for those losses, Lund proposes a tax levy of $16.98 per $100,000 taxable property valuation, an increase of 1.48% over the last Fiscal Year.

On the bright side, the City’s Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Fund posted 2.33% growth in FY 2017 over 2016, and Lund predicts an even more robust growth in FY 2018. And, the City expects to resume minimal debt in FY 2018. In other business, the Atlantic City Council will discuss an easement between the City and the Whitney Group, which would allow for the installation of an electrical box  across the alley from the business. Since the City cannot grant an easement for free, according to State law, the fair market value of the easement would be $250.

The Council will also hear a presentation from SWIPCO’s John McCurdy, with regard to a Comprehensive City Plan, which is required by the State, and was last adopted in 2002. The process to undertake and devise a new or updated plan will take about nine months, at a cost to the City of $19,500, the funds for which will come from the LOST Progress Fund for FY 2018. They’ll also act on approving an updated retainer agreement with the Otto, Lorence and Wiederstein law firm, which mentions Mark Bosworth is the Primary Attorney, but the position of City Attorney is still managed by the firm. Compensation will increase from $20,000 to $24,000.

And, Mayor Dave Jones is expected to Swear-in Officer Spencer Walton as Sergeant, during Wednesday’s meeting. Walton is being promoted to fill a vacancy on the Atlantic Police force created by the resignation of Cody Eckles. Walton has been with the A-PD for nearly 9 years.