OCEAN CITY – The first item of business was citizen comments when this resort’s City Council met Feb. 23.
A resident of Tuckahoe said she had traveled to Ocean City to urge council to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the release of helium balloons.
“Atlantic City, Longport, Margate and Ventnor have all already passed similar ordinances. We are not asking for a prohibition on balloon sales. However, their release into the atmosphere has proven deadly for all manner of sea life, turtles, fish and aquatic mammals that ingest the balloons,” said the woman.
She said that she talked to the city’s special events coordinator and was extremely encouraged by his news that participants, both homes and boats, would be advised not to release balloons into the air for Night in Venice.
“We need to see this same discouragement of balloon release for other events, such as at graduations and weddings. Please adopt an ordinance that will provide for the safety of our sea life,” she said.
The next speaker was a city resident who reiterated the previous speaker’s plea to protect sea life from released helium balloons.
“You will get tremendous press if you pass an ordinance like this. We need more education for residents and tourists alike especially on the Boardwalk in the summer. Awareness about what is responsible behavior will go a long way in keeping these helium balloons out of the environment and from harming animals and nature,” the resident stated.
Mayor’s Proposed Budget
Council then heard a presentation by Mayor Jay Gillian on the 2017 $79.6-million municipal budget he wants adopted. He summarized each year’s budget exercise as the “toughest task we have each year and we pay particular attention to our credibility with the citizens.”
Gillian said through the eight town hall meetings he conducted last year and the daily phone calls, texts, emails and website comments made it clear what residents want: get projects done, preserve what makes Ocean City special, and protect all those who live, work and visit the resort.”
Gillian cited as major achievements looking forward “shovels in the ground” relief for those living in an area highly susceptible to flooding, i.e. between 26th and 34th streets and four pumping stations that will be strategically placed throughout the island.
“Over the next five years, we have $40.3 million allocated for paving and drainage, and are putting on fast track shoring up our bulkheads. The Army Corps of Engineers is looking at additional sand pumping for 2018 and we may even be able to do some pumping of sand in the north end for beach replenishment affected by Jonas,” Gillian explained.
On financing some of these projects, Gillian said he was “proud of the $11 million in grants the city has received which does not include $5 million in FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funding related to Superstorm Sandy. And our beach replenishment was supported by $50 million in federal funds.
“For beautification projects, I am truly grateful to county freeholders who gave us funding to buy the abandoned gas station at the Ninth Street Gateway to the city and we hope to acquire the second abandoned gas station by Memorial Day and really make that area into an attractive green space.”
Related to the cost of what lies ahead for 2017, Gillian said there will be a 2.85 percent tax increase which will equal a rise of $143 due from a property owner of a house worth $500,000. “It kills me to have any increase but this works out to just $36 per quarter and with the valuable projects we have coming up I think it’s worth it,” he concluded.
From the Budget
Figures used are rounded for easier understanding. The entire budget is posted on the city website. The budget is also available on the Herald’s website here.
The spending plan uses $3.4 million from surplus with about $3 million remaining.
The local tax levy will be $.4486 per $100 of assessed valuation, up from $.42 in 2016.
Amount to be raised from taxes will be $51.8 million, up 7.99 percent from last year’s $48 million.
Among the $11.4 million in anticipated revenues other than taxes from local sources:
* $4.1 million from beach fees
* $140,000 from airport fees
* $1.06 million from user fees at the Aquatic and Fitness Center
The city’s assessed valuation is $11.56 billion, a 1.04 percent increase.
New ratables total $121.6 million.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
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