Wildwood Introduces $25.2-Million Municipal Budget; OKs Youth Work Experience Program

WILDWOOD – Board of Commissioners introduced Wildwood’s 2014 municipal budget during their regular meeting June 11.
The proposed budget shows the city spending $25.2 million, an increase from 2013’s general appropriations of $24.2 million. The anticipated local tax amount to be raised is $18,052,321, a 6.18 percent increase from last year’s $17,000,979. The anticipated municipal tax rate is $1.27 per $100 of assessed valuation, up 17 cents from last year.
Wildwood Auditor Glenn Ortman said in a release, 10.1 cents of the proposed tax increase is due to the city’s recent reassessment. The city saw its ratable rate drop 7.9 percent, from $1.54 billion to $1.41 billion. The remaining 6.9 cents of the tax increase is for operations, including 6.4 cents dedicated to public safety. Only .5 cents is earmarked for operating costs other than public safety.
“We’ve heard the public outcry for increased public safety and we are addressing those concerns,” stated Commissioner Peter Byron in a release.
“It is vital that we hire additional police officers and firefighters,” stated Commissioner Anthony Leonetti in a release. “Our goal is to provide a safe environment to all our residents and visitors. These new positions will mean our streets, boardwalk and beach are better patrolled.”
The release states that property owners in Wildwood would see increased public safety in the form of new personnel, including seven new full-time police officers, three firefighters and double the number of seasonal Class II police officers from 30 to 60. Unlike Class I special law enforcement officers, Class II officers are authorized to carry a weapon while on duty.
Other than the new police and firefighter positions, the proposed budget does not include any new city positions.
Salaries and wages are up by $1,612,199 since last year with an additional five employees for a total of 132 employees. Other operating expenses have decreased to $8,955,867 compared to last year’s $9,004,332.
Expenses for capital improvements have increased to $100,000 as compared to last year’s $50,000.
Reserve for uncollected taxes increased to $179,459 compared to $108,616 the prior year.
According to the release, the average property in Wildwood is assessed at $204,811 with a municipal tax of $2,607. The recent reevaluation saw the average property value drop from $222,927 with a municipal tax of $2,459. The average property owner would see a municipal tax increase of $148 overall.
The proposed budget includes an anticipated $175,000 of new revenue obtained through new beach services such as concerts, ice cream vendor licenses and food vendor licensing.
Anticipated available surplus for 2014 is $975,950 compared to $1,002,000 in 2013.
The Water and Sewer Utility budgets were also introduced. The Water Utility budget shows a $7,115,000 spending plan, down from last year’s $7,248,100. The Sewer Utility shows a $4,973,862 spending plan, compared to last year’s $4,686,208.
Wildwood has combined its water utility, sewer and tax collection departments into one, which allows for additional cost savings as well as making those departments more efficient and user friendly, according to the release.
Chief Financial Officer Jeanette Powers stated debt service was reduced by more than $600,000.
The budget is still a work in progress.
“We continue to look for ways to make additional cuts to the budget and to search for revenue,” noted Byron in a release. “We’re leaving no stone unturned.”
A hearing on the budget and tax resolution will be held at City Hall July 9 at 5:30 p.m. at which time comments about the budget may be presented by taxpayers.
City Solicitor May Become Full-time Position
A proposed ordinance amending Chapter 1A-7.4, states that the city solicitor should become a full-time employee, entitled to benefits of other full-time municipal employees. The proposed ordinance was introduced for first reading by the Board of Commissioners June 11.
The ordinance states that the city’s interest would be better served by a solicitor who serves as a full-time employee, available at City Hall on a daily basis to the Commissioners, who has no other clients which may conflict with or distract from work in the interest of the city.
Byron said in a release, a full-time city solicitor was hired at $175,000, versus a contracted solicitor that cost the city $340,000 a year.
City Solicitor Mary Bittner currently holds the position.
Youth Work Experience Program Coming to City
Board of Commissioners passed an addendum allowing for a youth work experience program to take place in Wildwood this summer. The program, sponsored by the Atlantic Cape May Office of Workforce Development, Training and New Jersey Youth Corps, Youth Unit, will afford local youth between the ages of 17-21 the opportunity to gain work experience at work sites approved by the Atlantic Cape May One Stop Career Center’s Youth Unit.
Only youth who meet economically disadvantaged criteria established by the United States Department of Labor will be allowed to participate. Work sites must also be approved but can be any federal, state, county or municipal government, public post-secondary school or other public entity located in Atlantic or Cape May Counties.
Eligible participants will be assigned to a work site based on travel considerations, skills needed to perform the job, health and safety issues, etc.
Participants will be paid by the Atlantic County One Stop Career Center through federal grants received for the program and will earn minimum wage at least. They will be expected to work between 20 to 25 hours per week from four to 20 weeks.
According to Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr., the city would like to have participants work general outdoor maintenance such as various beach/boardwalk cleaning needs, street end cleaning and working in the parks.
“We don’t have to do anything but provide them a place to work,” said Troiano. “It’s a win-win. We’re excited about it. They get to get a lot of work experience at no cost to the city.”
Applications are not yet available.
To contact Erin Haskell, email ehaskell@cmcherald.com.