Atlantic City Administrator John Lund reported to the City Council Wednesday night the Iowa Department of Revenue has informed him of the property tax rollback figures, which will positively affect the City’s future budget. He says the rollback went up 1.2-percent, which is good for the City’s General Fund, Debt Service and Employee benefits fund.

The bad news is that means an increase in the local residential property taxes of 1.2-percent, assuming the tax levy stays the same. The change also means Commercial property taxes will be coming down. Mayor Dave Jones said “Like it or not, it’s going to even out somewhere down the road. They don’t cut taxes, they just shift them [the burden].”

The Mayor also reminded citizens of Atlantic that political signs cannot be placed in the City right-of-way, which essentially means they cannot be in the area between the sidewalk and the street. The same goes for those “Help Wanted” ads some have placed around the City.

Jones said also, he’s getting mad about illegal parking. He said that’s especially true where people are parking in handicapped spots with out a handicapped sticker, placard or license plate on their vehicle. He suggested if you see a vehicle which is apparently parked illegally, notify the Police Department.

He also was upset about speeding along 22^nd Street in Atlantic. He says it seems every three or four months he has to remind citizens to obey the speed limit on 22^nd Street. Persons caught will receive a ticket. Jones says slow down and use common sense.

Red Oak Police report two people were arrested on separate charges overnight Wednesday into early this (Thursday) morning. At around 12:20-a.m., Red Oak Police arrested 32-year old Matthew Daniel Sloan, of Red Oak, for Theft of a Motor Vehicle. Sloan was transported to the Montgomery County Jail where he was charged with felony Theft in the 2nd Degree. His bond was set at $5,000. Sloan was also cited for Driving without a valid driver’s license.

And, at around 8:30-p.m., Wednesday, Red Oak Police arrested 48-year old Raymond Lee Briggs, of Red Oak, for Public Intoxication, as Police were following-up on a call involving Briggs’ spouse. When the couple appeared at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, authorities say Raymond Briggs had blood-shot and watery eyes and smelled of alcohol. He submitted to a Preliminary Breath Test, which indicated his Blood Alcohol Content was .271, or more than three-times the legal limit for intoxication. Briggs was booked into the jail and held on $300 bond.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office says two people were arrested on drug charges Wednesday night. 31-year old Cody Chance Day, of Nodaway, faces charges that include Possession of Marijuana, 3rd or subsequent offense, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $2,600. And, 22-year old Kory Allan Schmelzer, of Corning, was charhed with Possession of Marijuana/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

Authorities say their arrests happened a little after 8-p.m. Wednesday, following a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Schmelzer. In the vehicle, Adams County Deputies observed a small baggie of marijuana in plain view.