From left, Port Republic Mayor Gary Giberson, Galloway Mayor Don Purdy, Absecon Mayor John Armstrong, and Mullica Township Mayor Jim Brown, in Absecon with Atlantic City in the background, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015
In mainland towns throughout Atlantic County, 2015 has started with the same grim tone.
Mayors throughout the area kicked
off the new year voicing concerns about how the casino crisis in
Atlantic City — and proposals to help the resort financially weather the
closing of four casinos — will create problems for the towns and
constituents they serve.
At the heart of their concerns is
legislation aimed at stabilizing casino taxes. While this payment in
lieu of taxes program reduces the financial burden on casinos and helps
Atlantic City better plan its finances, mayors throughout the area
complain they’ve been left out of the discussion and argue the proposal
would burden their residents. The legislation would permit the remaining
casinos in the city to pay a collective $150 million instead of real
estate taxes based on their assessed property value.
Last month, the Atlantic County
Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously passed a resolution urging the
state Legislature to “work with Atlantic County in enactment of casino
gambling properties tax-relief legislation.”
Mullica Township Mayor
Jim Brown said there has been little consideration for the mainland
towns — particularly the small municipalities — when it comes to
discussing the future of Atlantic City.
“Over 95 percent of our revenue
comes from real estate. You throw an extra $200 or $300 at people with
an increase in taxes, and they’re not going to be able to handle it,”
Brown said.
Silva, however, cautioned against inciting panic among local taxpayers, since the plan moving forward has not been decided.
“There’s enough panic going
around. If the local officials can do anything ... (they should) have a
calming effect but be honest and clear about what is happening.”
Silva said Hamilton and other
designated growth townships suffered the brunt of problems related to
the region’s growth, and going into 2015, most municipalities are going
to have a hard time with their budgets.
“We’re going to take the high
road in all of this. I am not going to be a pessimist, I am going to be
optimistic. The biggest obstacle facing any municipality is financial
sustainability, and for most municipalities the only revenue they really
have is real estate,” Silva said.
Entire article at
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/mayors-see-a-c-s-pain-spreading-to-suburbs/article_d9405214-9793-11e4-9828-1b798c9ae655.html
Related posts that discuss the tax plan and costs at
http://gadfly01.blogspot.com/2014/12/county-tax-hike-how-much.html
Entire article at
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/mayors-see-a-c-s-pain-spreading-to-suburbs/article_d9405214-9793-11e4-9828-1b798c9ae655.html
Related posts that discuss the tax plan and costs at
http://gadfly01.blogspot.com/2014/12/county-tax-hike-how-much.html
5 comments:
It would be strongly urged that the Mayors of these towns all pass resolutions against Whelans flat casino tax and give a show of support with these resolutions to Mr Levinson who is also very concerned as to what this break for the casinos will do to the rest of the county. Last week the freeholders came up with their votes against it while yesterday AC naturally wants to see it happen. By the way, while the Mayors are at it why not push to see if some CRDA money can come to communities near AC for expenses like traffic monitoring things like the Triathelon? Senator Sweeney, Senator Whelan and Gov Christie need to hear from our elected officials.
The county taxes have increased dramatically in the past 5 years. The local municipalities cannot afford to subsidize Atlantic County and Atlantic City budgets. Atlantic City and Atlantic County must cut their spending.
Atlantic City has lost 45% to 50% of the revenue in the past 10 years but the Atlantic City and the Atlantic County budgets have still increased. Atlantic City and Atlantic County must cut spending to reflect the 45% to 50% lost revenue in our communities.
Adding to 525pm comments I would like to mention that A.C. has absolutely no regard for the rest of the county and our elected leaders must stand up to them. For example Don Guardians plan includes handing over city health department services to the County which must not only do all the eatery inspections but by state statute hire the city workers at their current over inflated salary. Yesterday on Don Williams show Mr Levinson called in about this and is refusing to go along with it because of costs. My point is Don Guardian is only looking out for future votes in his anticpated second election and does not want to do any serious cuts.His plan is to leech off the state and the neighboring towns in AC. Senator Whelan who is still a city resident has stated the other towns must pay to help AC and will get this bill through if everyone is quiet. BY the way the only reason it stalled is because Carl Icahn refused to sign on for now. Golden Nugget threatened a lawsuit about this flat tax and just 24 hours later Whelan modified the bill. Point is write letters, do resolutions and unite towns to fight this. If town officials have a wait and see attitude and do nothing Sweeney and Whelan will push it through to help casinos and Donny G.
Hopefully there will be more posts and folks follow this on Press and WOND.
How come all the millionaires don't want to pay there share of taxes and want the working class to pay more and more. If you don't want to pay the taxes, don't buy the casino!
Atlantic City and Atlantic County have been infested with patronage for elected officials family members. It is very difficult to have effective, open and fiscally responsible government when so many elected officials are compromised.
Too many compromised elected officials that are willing to vote to increase taxes as long as they can get a family member a city job or a county job.
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