MARGATE The Board of Commissioners April 4 held a public hearing and approved the city's 2019 municipal budget totaling $32.8 million.
According to city Administrator Richard Deaney, appropriations are up $153,897 or less than a half of 1%, but salaries and wages are down $151,753 or 1.18%. Debt service for the municipality and the schools is down $49,600, but statutory costs, such as electric and pension costs are up.
Ratables increased $34 million to $3,709,501,700, and the average residential assessment increased to $530,911 from $507,666 in 2012, he said.
Deaney noted that the tax rate has remained fairly stable over the last seven years, fluctuating between 60 and 61.9 cents. This year's rate is down one-tenth of a cent to 61.8 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The average homeowner will pay $3,305 for municipal taxes this year.
The city applied $3 million in surplus funds, but maintains a reserve of $3,082,737.
Our surplus is stable. We're growing and we can maintain this financial footing going forward, he said.
Mayor Michael Becker noted that there were fewer tax appeals this year, only 56 compared to about 130 last year, he said.
Resident John Sewell said having lower taxes removes the incentive for people to appeal their taxes.
Commissioner of Revenue and Finance Maury Blumberg thanked department heads and the city's auditor for formulating a great budget.
Thanks for making my job easy, he said.
In other business, the board rejected two bids received for municipal building playground upgrades, including installation of a new pickleball court. The city received two bids on March 28, but they were higher than expected. The city will change the scope of work and accept new bids on April 16.
Public Works Supervisor Frank Ricciotti reported that city workers have resurfaced the Anne Pancoast Dog Park, and will be painting the fence and installing a new gazebo.
Also, Deputy Fire Chief Scott Winneberger alerted residents that they might see firefighter activity on the Margate Pier.
We will be training on extending fire lines long distances, he said.
Crews will also be training on the athletic fields. Firefighters will be practicing crawling along the lines fully equipped with air packs, he said.
He also advised residents to be careful when mulching landscaping during spring.
Keep the mulch off the siding and away from sheds that could be combustible, he said.
