(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, this (Wednesday) evening took less time than expected to get through their agenda. City Administrator John Lund had anticipated it would take longer, considering the FY26 Budget was the main feature, but it took only 40 minutes to wrap-up business.

The Council passed a resolution designating the distribution of Sales Tax Revenues to various funds, for specific purposes. John Lund said the resolution included minor changes and additions to a previous version presented to the Council on Feb. 19th, and the new, long-term plan for the YMCA expansion and how the City intends to support the project.

Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett issued the Oath of Office to Atlantic Police Department SRO (School Resource Officer) Ben Sandy. The Council received a presentation from local Trees Forever representative Dolly Bergmann, and they acted to re-appoint Judd Meneely to the AMU Board of Trustees.

The Council, after hearing no public comment, moved to adopt the Final Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, which includes $21,787,586 in expenditures (an increase of 15.94% (or nearly $3-million) from the FY2025 budget). With the budget having been passed, the City’s combined property tax levy will increase from $17.25/$1,000 assessed valuation to $17.85/$1,000. The Budget includes a 3% increase in compensation to all non-union City employees and Public Works Union Employees, and a 3.75% increase for Police Union employees.

The Atlantic City Council adopted the FY2026 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which calls for more than $25.8-million in total improvements to the City’s physical assets (such as streets, major equipment, parks, storm water/sewer system and sewage/wastewater treatment plant).

Speaking of improvements, Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett, Wednesday, updated the Council on the “Re-imagining Bull Creek” project. Students from the ISU College of Design and College of Engineering will present their collaborative work on Bull Creek, at the Cass County Community Center, on May 7^th, from 4-until 6-p.m.

The Bull Creek Project features several facets, include: Bank stabilization; Watershed strategies, and more. The Mayor mentioned also, the City continues to work with the ISU Art Project for murals and artwork through the City.

The Mayor also thanked officials with Vision Atlantic, with regard to their project, funding and moving forward. She specifically mentioned a letter that was presented to the Council during their last meeting.