(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic City Council will meet at 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, April 1st in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. Prior to their session, and beginning at 5-p.m. is a Public Hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Property Tax Levy. According to information provided by the City, there is a proposed increase in the tax asking to cover the rising costs of City policies that include Union Compensation, Health – Property and Liability Insurance increases.
City Administrator John Lund reports the current year proposed change in the Budget Year proposed asking for residential properties with an actual/assessed value of $100,000/$110,000, would increase by 1.06%. Commercial properties with an Actual/Assessed Valuation of $300,000/$330,000 would increase by 8.70%.
Lund notes the Actual/Assessed Valuation is multiplied by a Rollback Percentage to get the Taxable Valuation to calculate property taxes. Residential and commercial properties have the same rollback percentage through $150,000 of actual/assessed valuation. During the Public Hearing, any resident or taxpayer may present objections to, or arguments in-favor of, the proposed property tax levy. Following the hearing, the City Council will act on approving the public notice and hold a hearing on, the proposed City Budget.
During the regular City Council meeting that follows the Public Hearing, the Council will act on an Order appointing Stacey Pellet to the AMU (Atlantic Municipal Utilities) Board of Trustees. She would succeed Jody Lawrence, who has resigned after many years of service on the Board, which consists of five members appointed by the Mayor (subject to Council approval), and who serve six-year terms.
The Council will also act on passing the following Resolutions:
1) Inclusion of Rifles in the (Police Dept.) Firearm Purchase Program. The Atlantic P-D is in the process of upgrading department-issued firearms. The rifles were last updated in 2013. The Police Department is proposing an individual rifle purchase, with the City making the initial purchase, and officers reimbursing the cost through payroll deductions over a period of 36 months. Current rifles – as they are replaced -will be used by Reserve Officers and newly hired officers.
2) A Resolution updating the Municipal Swimming Pool fees, rates, and applicable provisions. Under the new language in the City Code: Children under the age of 2 would be admitted free of charge; Children ages 2 through 5 would be charged a reduced daily admission rate of $3; All patrons ages 6 and older would be charged a standard daily admission fee of $7; The Seasonal Group Pass will be set at $145, and would include up to 5 persons; An Individual Season Pass would be $100/person; The Punch Pass fee would be set at $50, and includes 3 complimentary visits.
3)A Resolutions setting the date for a Public Hearing “on the proposed FY2027 Budget,” and to Adopt the proposed 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).”
4) The Council will act on a Resolution setting Wastewater Superintendent compensation for FY 2026 at $90,954/year. Travis Hansen was selected to fill an upcoming Wastewater Superintendent vacancy, following a review of applications, and interviews conducted by the Public Works Director.
