The Margate Municipal Building is located at 9001 Winchester Ave.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – Although many Americans struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic and were unable to manage their finances without government assistance, Margate property owners were able to pay their taxes. In fact, the city increased its tax collection rate, according to the city’s recent audit performed by Ford-Scott Associates of Ocean City.
Michael Garcia presented the results of the annual audit at the Board of Commissioners meeting, Thursday, July 1, noting the audit had no findings or recommendations that needed to be addressed.
“That’s a credit to the city and the CFO,” he said.
Garcia said the city ended the calendar year with an increase in fund balance totaling $763,000, despite a decrease in recreation and court fees due to the pandemic.
The city’s current fund balance is $8,083,000, but the city used $3,913,000 to bolster the 2021 budget to keep the tax rate flat.
“You will replenish the fund balance this year,” he said.
He said the city’s tax collection rate increased one-half percent to 99.13%. Last year’s rate was 98.64%.
Chief Financial Officer Lisa McLaughlin said raising the tax collection rate above 99% is “phenomenal,” commending the Tax Collector’s work despite major changes in staffing the department.
“It’s something to be proud of and acknowledge,” she said.
In other financial matters, the commission authorized the use of American Rescue Plan funding totaling $613,881 over a two-year period, which will be used for COVID-19 related expenses, additional support for essential workers, and to cover lost revenue due to the pandemic. Funding can also be used for improving infrastructure.
The board also reappointed John Scott Abbott as its solicitor for a one-year term ending June 20, 2022, with a $84,000 retainer and a contract amount not to exceed $75,000 for litigation and special services. His hourly rate is $150 for services outside the contract’s scope of work.
The board discussed but declined a request from a nearby homeowner to vacate a portion of Marshall Avenue, which is considered wetlands, because there are underground utilities at the site.
“We can’t sell off parcels that contain infrastructure,” Commissioner John Amodeo said.
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