The Atlantic City Council received the preliminary Fiscal Year 2018 City Budget from City Administrator John Lund. 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. He said the budget is lower this year because the City won’t be borrowing so money much for Capital Projects, such as finishing the street improvements. (Click on the left side of the audio bars to listen)

(This year, the City will only have to borrow $360,000, as opposed to the millions of dollars that has been borrowed in past years.)

He says the Budget calls for a property tax increase of 1.48-percent due to actions by the Iowa Legislature.

Lund says cities in Iowa can’t rely on the Governor to protect them from future losses in tax revenue when the Legislature enacts tax reform that benefits commercial property owners and results in a loss of property tax backfill and funds from the State.

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. 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.

The Council also heard 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. The also acted 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.

Police in Red Oak arrested a man Wednesday afternoon on a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. 28-year old Andrew Dean West, of Malvern, was taken into custody at around 3:30-p.m. in the 100 block of W. Coolbaugh Street. West was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.

Police in Shenandoah, Wednesday night, arrested a woman who allegedly took a vehicle without permission. Officers received a stolen vehicle report at around 10:50-p.m. The vehicle was later located near the Valley View Apartments. A suspect in the theft, 50-year old Shelly Graham, of Shenandoah, was taken into custody and charged with Operating Without Owner’s Consent, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

During the booking process, it was discovered that Graham also had a valid Page County warrant for her arrest for Theft in the 5th Degree. Graham was transported to Page County Jail, where she was being held on $2,000 bond.

There’s a race in the Iowa Senate to determine the future of traffic enforcement cameras — and it’s NOT clear which side will win. One bill under consideration in a senate committee would ban the cameras. The other bill cleared the Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday and it would keep the cameras, but fines would be slashed and the D-O-T would have to approve the placement of all the cameras. Senator Dan Zumbach of Ryan says the cameras are making some Iowa roadways safer.  “A place for people to drive without being fearful,” Zumbach says.

Senator Tod Bowman of Maquoketa is also lining up on the side of keeping the cameras operating. “I think it’s a way, in certain situations, that we can minimize fatalities and accidents,” Bowman says.

The bill that allows the cameras to continue policing the roads would redirect the money from the fines to road projects. Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines supports keeping the cameras, but he argues the money from the fines should be used to support the police. “We’re telling ’em where they can put their cameras and then we’re telling how they can spend their money,” Bisignano said. “Why don’t we just do a bill and get rid of city councils?”

Senator Jim Lykam of Davenport has a message for people who complain about tickets generated by a traffic camera: “If you don’t speed and you don’t run a red light, it doesn’t take your picture.” Senator Jeff Danielson of Cedar Falls was the only member of the Senate Transportation Committee who voted against the bill that would keep traffic cameras operating, but with some new restrictions. He warns putting the Iowa D-O-T in charge of WHERE the permanent AND mobile cameras can be positioned means all the complaints about tickets will filter up to legislators.

“I think this potentially could turn into a political nightmare for us,” Danielson says, “…but also a bureaucratic nightmare in trying to sort through all those applications and the process it would take.” Over the past few years, Iowa legislators have passed bills that have called for limits on traffic camera fines, plus bills that would ban the cameras altogether, but NONE of those proposals has gotten enough support to clear both the House AND Senate. The Senate Republican Leader who decides which bills get debated hasn’t indicated which path he may pursue.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:25 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s top election official doesn’t plan to ask the Legislature for extra money to help inform the public about a voter identification bill that could soon become law. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate intends to use existing office funds to pay for voter education and outreach in connection to his proposal to require ID at polling places. Advocacy groups say a lack of designated money for public outreach could make it harder for people to find out about the change.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Pork industry experts say U.S. consumers shouldn’t worry about a bacon shortage. The reassurance comes amid news that demand for bacon depleted frozen pork belly supplies in the U.S. to a record low for December. But the industry is confident it can boost hog production enough to avoid any serious shortages.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Volunteer fire departments all over Iowa have members who were improperly awarded nationally-recognized certificates by the state fire academy. The Fire Service Training Bureau has sent letters to 560 mostly volunteer agencies notifying them that “one or more firefighters on your department may have been” improperly granted certificates, despite failing their exams. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says 1,706 firefighters and emergency responders were improperly granted 2,278 certifications.

ELKADER, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say several deer killed in northeast Iowa during the fall hunting season in 2016 have tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says a deer killed in Clayton County had chronic wasting disease, making it the first to test positive for the disease outside Allamakee County. Another 10 deer killed in Allamakee County during the 2016 hunting season also had the disease.

The only independent in the state legislature is asking Iowa’s attorney general to issue a written opinion on the proper transfer of power when Republican Governor Terry Branstad resigns to become ambassador to China.  Senator David Johnson, of Ocheyedon, says  “Although a number of legal experts believe it’s a settled issue, there are others that don’t.” Johnson is a former Republican who switched his voter registration to “no party” this summer when Donald Trump became the G-O-P’s presidential nominee.

In December, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds said the constitution is clear and that she will become governor when Branstad resigns. Johnson says there is “ambiguity” in the way the constitution is written and some analysts argue Reynolds may PERFORM the duties of governor, but will NOT get the TITLE of governor. “Being an independent, I believe I don’t have any partisan dog in this game,” Johnson says. “…I’m not a Republican. I’m not a Democrat. I can’t be accused of having any partisan leanings on this.”

Johnson has sent a formal request, asking Attorney General Tom Miller to issue an opinion on the matter by February 15th. “We need to have this issue more clearly defined before the governor goes to China,” Johnson says. Johnson’s asking the attorney general to weigh in on whether Reynolds has the authority to appoint a lieutenant governor and who would have the authority to swear her in as GOVERNOR once Branstad leaves.

Johnson suggests SENATORS could be forced to vote on transfer of power issues based on what the attorney general may determine. A spokesman for Attorney General Tom Miller said weeks ago that Miller agrees with the Branstad Administration, that Reynolds will become governor when Branstad leaves — and that she’ll have the authority to appoint a lieutenant governor.

A spokesman for Governor Branstad accuses Johnson of “political grandstanding.” Branstad press secretary Ben Hammes says “two months ago” the attorney general and secretary of state were “definitive” that that Reynolds will become governor when Branstad resigns.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Sac City Police Department say a car-versus-pedestrian accident Tuesday afternoon claimed the life of an elderly man. The accident took place at around 1:40-p.m. at the intersection of Audubon Street and South 5TH Street in Sac City. Authorities say 74-year old Sherry Busch of Sac City, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Impala northbound on South 5th Street, when her car struck 88-year old Alan Galbraith, who is also from Sac City. The accident happened as Galbraith was crossing the street.  The man was transported to Loring Hospital and then later air lifted to a Sioux City Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones administered the Oath of Office to Atlantic Police Officer Spencer Walton, Wednesday night. (click on the left side of the audio bar to play the cut)

The event took place as part of the regular City Council meeting. Walton, who has been an Officer with the A-PD for nearly 9-years, was promoted to Sergeant in order to fill a vacancy on the Atlantic Police force created by the resignation of Cody Eckles.

Atlantic Police Officer Spencer Walton (Left) becomes Sgt. Walton, after taking the Oath of Office from Mayor Dave Jones. (Ric Hanson/photo)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Pork industry experts say U.S. consumers shouldn’t worry about a bacon shortage. The reassurance comes amid news that demand for bacon depleted frozen pork belly supplies in the U.S. to a record low for December. Pork bellies are the cut of the hog from which bacon is derived.

But the industry is confident it can boost hog production enough to avoid any serious shortages. Steve Meyer is a pork industry economist for Express Markets Inc., which tracks industry trends for retailers and foodservice companies.

He expects pork production to increase about 3 percent this year. So if prices do climb, they should stabilize once the industry catches up. Bottom line: A pound of bacon may cost a little more as winter wears on, but prices should stabilize by summer.

There’s still time to register! Food, Family and Fun kicks off tomorrow night- but we have some open spaces in the kitchen! Bring the family and join us for this 6 week, hands-on family cooking class. Each week we will make a basic meal to eat as a family, and another to take home and freeze. Food, Family and Fun is open to anyone interested in cooking healthy, family-friendly meals on a budget!

Food, Family and Fun is a six session course, held once a week, where families will come together to have a little fun while learning how to cook and eat good food! Cass County ISU Extension and the Kiwanis Club of Atlantic are excited to offer this program in Cass County. The class meets at the Atlantic Middle School for 6 weeks in February and March, and will utilize the Family and Consumer Science classroom so participants can get hands-on practice in a kitchen environment. Open to any family interested in improving their skills in family meal-planning and preparation, this program is geared towards families with children aged 5-18.

At each weekly session, families meet with class mentors from 6-8 PM to prepare healthy meals through hands-on cooking experience. Families will make TWO meals at each session- one to enjoy during the class, and a second meal to take home and freeze or eat later in the week. Families will also participate in activities on communication, meal-planning, and health and nutrition.

A small fee of $5 per session will be charged per family to help cover grocery costs. For a family of 5 this costs $1 for two full meals! In addition, families completing at least 5 of the 6 classes will receive a kitchen “supply kit” full of kitchen essentials to put those new skills to use at home, and a new programmable crockpot to make healthy winter meal prep a snap.

Spaces are still available in the class, starting Thursday February 2^nd, but pre-registrations are required to allow planning for food and materials. To register, or for more information on class content, dates, etc.- find a brochure and registration form on the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, call the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132 or email keolson@iastate.edu.

(Press Release from ISU Extension/Cass County)