From left, Commissioners Maury Blumberg and John Amodeo, and Mayor Michael Becker at the dedication of the Amherst Avenue promenade.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – The Board of Commissioners Thursday, May 4 held a public hearing on the 2023 municipal budget, but failed to adopt it until a second public hearing can be held on a change made to the budget.
No one spoke or questioned the budget during the public hearing. The budget included a flat tax for the 11th year in a row.
The $37.9 million municipal budget introduced April 4 maintains the local tax rate at $.617. Taxpayers will pay $616.97 per $100,000 of assessed valuation for municipal services in 2023. A property assessed at $750,000 will pay $4,627.30 and a property assessed at $1 million will pay $6,169.93.
According to Chief Financial Officer Lisa McLaughlin, the state examined the budget and required a debt service payment be included in the Utility portion of the budget.
The city had planned to do a bond sale this year, but were advised to hold off due to current high interest rates, McLaughlin said.
Instead of selling bonds, the city will “rollover” its bond anticipation notes, which will require that an $85,000 principal payment be put into the Utility budget.
The city will hold a special meeting 4 p.m. Thursday, May 11 to hold a public hearing on the amendment and adopt the budget.
In other business, Recreation Supervisor Andrew Miles reported that beach tag sales at the end of April were up 18% over the same period last year.
Mayor Michael Becker and Commissioner John Amodeo were low-key at their last meeting as members of the governing body.
Several department heads thanked them for their years of service to the residents of Margate.
Fire Chief Dan Adams said the Fire Department benefited from their oversight.
“It has been a pleasure working with you over the years. We have come a long way with our equipment and apparatus, and it would not be without the help and cooperation of the current administration,” he said. “We want to say thank you and wish you the best moving forward.”
Becker served as mayor for the last 16 years and Amodeo served eight years as commissioner.
The election on Tuesday, May 9 will determine their replacements. Commissioner of Finance Maury Blumberg is seeking his fifth, four-year term on the commission.
A special meeting of the board be held at noon Tuesday, May 16 to swear-in those who win the election. The meeting will be held in Commission Chambers at Historic City Hall, 1 S. Washington Ave.
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