The Atlantic City Council Wednesday, set the date for a public hearing on a Resolution that would approve or deny the Voluntary Annexation of a property at 56988 635th Street (Outfitters Plus). The hearing will be held 5:30-p.m. March 2nd.

Mayor Dave Jones explained the hearing is merely a formality, as the infrastructure is for the Atlantic Wastewater Treatment Plant is already in place. Jones said Outfitters Plus/A-Plus Designs at 56988 635th Street hooked-up to the City’s sewer system after the businesses’ septic system failed, and they requested the annexation take place. If the change is approved, the City could collect the extra penny sales tax for both the land mentioned and any future, adjacent annexations in the same area. The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday also approved a Resolution accepting work for the 2015 Street Improvements to close-out the contract for all of the street projects completed over the summer, that were funded through 2015 Local Option Sales Tax revenue bonds. The final contract price was 1-million, 25-thousand 144-dollars and 69-cents. ($1,025,144.69).

In other business, City Administrator John Lund, with the Council’s approval, set the schedule for completing the Fiscal year 2017 budget. Budget proposals will be sent to members of the Council February 12th, and during the Council’s regular meeting February 17th, they’ll deal with any questions and hammer out the details in a related budget work session, before making any agreed upon changes to the budget.

If there are changes, a revised/summary proposed budget will be sent to the Council February 19th. A special Council meeting will take place Feb. 24th to form a consensus on the budget. On March 9th, a Special Council meeting will be held to approve the final budget, which is the last step in the process.

Mayor Jones also announced the Community Development Committee will be discussing during their next meeting, the enclosure of Bull Creek from 14th to 17th Streets, and from 9th Street to the VFW building. Jones, and Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm cited safety and erosion issues as reasons for wanting to enclose the creek in those areas. Of special concern, is the area near the Harl-Holt Park.

Councilperson Kathy Somers made it clear during the meeting she was opposed to the plan over concerns about the effect it would have on flooding in the neighborhoods nearby. The Community Development Committee will make its recommendation to the Council with regard to the project, at a later date.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 19-year-old from Nebraska has been charged with motor vehicle homicide in connection with an Omaha crash that killed a Council Bluffs woman. Prosecutors say Eswin Mejia, of Omaha, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early Sunday. Police say his pickup truck slammed into the back of 21-year-old Sarah Root‘s car. Root was taken to a hospital with critical injuries and later died.

After her death, prosecutors upgraded the charge against Mejia to motor vehicle homicide. Mejia was treated at the Nebraska Medical Center for a leg injury and then booked into the Douglas County Jail.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Legislation that would legalize the sale of fireworks in Iowa is once again advancing through the Iowa Legislature, though it may face some challenges from lawmakers. The Senate State Government Committee voted 10-5 Wednesday in support of the bill, which would allow the sale and use of consumer fireworks such as firecrackers and roman candles. Current law allows the sale of novelties like sparklers.

CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) — An inmate serving a 50 year sentence for second-degree murder has died in a Coralville prison. The Iowa Department of Corrections announced Wednesday that 42-year-old Matthew John Irving died of natural causes.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A former Anamosa correctional officer has been sentenced in U.S. District Court to over four years in prison for smuggling contraband and being a drug user while possessing a firearm on duty. U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Techau announced Wednesday that 29-year-old Garrett Barton received a 57-month prison term. He received the sentence after pleading guilty in October to accepting bribes to smuggle contraband into the Anamosa State Penitentiary.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) —Donald Trump is continuing to dispute his second-place finish in Iowa’s kickoff caucuses earlier this week. Trump told a crowd of thousands in Little Rock, Arkansas Wednesday night, “Actually, I think I came in first.” Trump is taking issue with false rumors, allegedly circulated by backers of rival Ted Cruz on caucus night, that Ben Carson had decided to drop out of the race.