The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, is expected to set March 18th at 5:30-p.m., as the date and time for a Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget, and Adoption of the Budget. The Budget lists revenue and other incomes sources as just under $15.16-million, and expenditures of $18.02-million, creating a deficit of $2.87-million. The City will have an ending fund balance on June 30, 2020 of $6.7-million, and more than $9.58-million in their beginning fund balance as of July 1st, to carry the deficit. The Budget calls for an estimated Total tax levy rate of $16.56 per $1,000 valuation on regular property, and $3.00/$1,000 on Ag land. The final budget must be submitted to the State by March 31st.

In other business, the City Council will act on setting their March 18th regular meeting as the date for action on a Resolution to Adopt the Proposed FY 2021 10-year CIP (Capital Improvement Plan). And, hold a Public Hearing on a Proposal to enter into a General Obligation (G.O.) [Bond] Refunding Loan Agreement, which – because of lower available interest rates – will provide a cost savings to the City over the next seven-years, of almost $52,953.  The hearing will be followed by action on approving the Resolution.

There will also be a presentation of the final plans and specifications for the Atlantic Animal Shelter Building Addition. You may recall, the Lorene Eppelsheimer Estate gifted the City $135,000 to benefit animals at the Shelter, and the City has committed to constructing an addition. The biggest part of the addition, will allow cats to have their own space away from dogs, and it will allow the addition of more cat cages, proper food storage, and an exam/grooming table for animals. A more efficient water heater is also in the plans. Following the presentation, the Council will act on an Order setting the bid date and public hearing for the project, as April 1st, 5:30-p.m. They will also act on a Resolution calling for bids, with the deadline being at the end of business on March 31st.

The first day for filing nomination papers to appear on the ballot for the June Primary in Cass County, has three people submitting their nominations, so far. The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports Auditor Dale Sunderman and Sheriff Darby McLaren (Both Republicans), have filed for re-election. Russell Joyce filed his papers to run as a Democrat on the Cass County Board of Supervisors, in District 5.

Current D-5 Supervisor Frank Waters, who is serving his 12th year on the Board, announced last month that he would not be running for re-election. The last day to file nomination papers in advance of the June 2nd Primary, is Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Nomination papers and candidate information are available at the office of the county auditor and from the secretary of state: www.sos.iowa.gov

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Worries about a new virus that’s infected tens of thousands of people globally are making a mark on the economy of a nine-state region in the Midwest and Plains. A new survey report says the Mid-American Business Conditions Index sank in February to 52.8 from 57.2 in January. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the softer reading and the economic harm from the virus should concern policymakers. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth. A score below suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has issued a report on recent arrests. Authorities say 47-year old Michael Darrell Jacobsen, of Avoca, was arrested Friday morning in Avoca, on a Pott. County warrant for Violation of Probation. Taken into custody Friday morning at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse, was 24-year old Brendyn O’Dell Rutherford-Malone. He was taken into custody on a Pott. County warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree, and booked into the Pott. County Jail.

A man wanted on a Pott. County warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault w/a dangerous weapon – 1st offense, Interference w/official acts resulting in bodily injury, and Possession of Meth/1st offense, was transported from the Douglas County, NE., Jail, to face those charges in Pottawattamie County. 34-year old Sterling R. Spires, of LaVista, NE., was being held in the Pott. County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

Thursday afternoon, 26-year old Shawn Patrick Landis, Jr., of Council Bluffs, was arrested in the lobby of the Pott. County Jail, on a warrant for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender. His bond was set at $2,000. And, 54-year old Carl Allen Race, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Thursday afternoon at the Hy-Vee Store on Madison Avenue, after a Deputy eating lunch at the store, was informed a man had just run from there with some stolen goods. The Deputy located Race a short distance away, and took him into custody for Theft in the 5th Degree. Race was also wanted on a warrant for Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order – Contempt of Court. His bond was set at $300.