Mayor Clausen issues the Oath of Office to P&Z Commissioner Connie Briles.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, approved the appointment of Connie Briles to the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

Afterward they acted on adopting a resolution setting 5-p.m. April 1st, 2026, as the date of a public hearing for the City’s maximum property tax dollars, and the specific levies for submission to the Iowa Department of Management’s digital portal so the Cass County Auditor can send out property tax notices.

City Administrator John Lund said it’s an important first step in nailing down the FY 2027 Budget. He proposed lowering the property tax levy for FY27.

Following discussion and input from those attending the meeting, and approval of the Council, Mayor Rob Clausen issued an Order instructing the City Administrator to begin the search for a Parks and Recreation Department Director. Parks Commissioner Kevin Ferguson said the decision is a positive move in the right direction for the Parks and Rec Department.

John Lund said the Parks Director position had been eliminated in the late summer of 2023 to expand labor resources, elsewhere. He said the City is now in a position to pay for a Park’s Director, based on currently available data and revenue growth. The Parks Director will be paid for by released property tax resources.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council approved FY 2027 Budget – Compensation Adjustments. They also passed Resolutions “Approving Sunnyside Swimming Pool Fees and Applicability Provisions,” and “Amending the City of Atlantic Personnel Policy Handbook, Series 400, Code 401 to Provide a Health Insurance Waiver Incentive though a 401(a) Plan for Eligible Employees.”

The new Pool fee rates are: Daily admission to the Sunnyside pool, $7.00 per person; Seasonal group passes for up to five individuals are $145.00, and are not limited to family members; Individual season passes are now $100.00 per person; The punch pass is $50.00. Each Punch Pass shall include three (3) complimentary visits as part of the established pricing structure. Children ages two and under shall be admitted free of charge.  A daily admission rate of $3.00 will apply to young children ages 2 through 5, determined at the point of sale. The pool management team is authorized to offer day-pass gift certificates at the previous $5.00 rate for a limited holiday and Easter promotional period.

The Council also passed (after the required number of Readings), an Ordinance “Allowing Non-Iowa Residents to Be Hired and Employed as Part-Time and Reserve Officers for the City of Atlantic, Iowa.” Police Chief Devin Hogue spoke on how it affects potential applicants for Officer positions.

The Council’s next regular meeting was scheduled for March 4th, but it was changed to March 11th instead, so that Council members may attend Local Leaders Day at the State Capital in Des Moines.