The Ventnor City Council unanimously passed a resolution adopting the 2024 Municipal budget, which included a 2.21 cent tax increase. The budget was presented without changes and had yet to be reviewed by the state. The necessity of the budget to maintain services at expected levels for residents was a focal point of discussion. The balanced fund was also a concern, with the aim to recoup balances used in previous years. The council acknowledged the business administrator’s work and underscored the importance of adhering to the consultant’s advice. The need for infrastructure investment was highlighted, and it was emphasized that maintaining the city’s services at a high level is crucial. The public had the opportunity to comment on the budget before its adoption.

A point of contention was Resolution 118, where the council strongly opposed the state of New Jersey’s proposed shore protection rule. The rule would allow for the closure of beaches without local input in cases of environmental concerns. The council argued this could negatively impact public safety and stressed the importance of local involvement in such decisions.

The potential transition from traditional parking meters to a system using kiosks and the Park Mobile app was hotly debated. Concerns were raised about the challenges some residents may face adapting to new technology. The historical financial benefits of parking meters were cited, and the possibility of retaining meters in certain business districts was considered. The council agreed to collect more data and to phase out the meters gradually while communicating the changes to the public through signs.

The council discussed the Atlantic Shores project and the laying of a cable that may impact historic structures in the area. There was frustration over the lack of clarity and concerns about the potential negative impact on these properties. The council compared this to a previous land use case and emphasized the need for comprehensive information to address concerns about the offshore wind initiative.

Students from a local school were mentioned for their upcoming presentation on concept designs for a city-owned property, using AutoCAD and 3D printing. The council lauded the students’ in-depth research and acknowledged the potential contributions their designs could make to the city’s infrastructure.

Several ordinances were introduced, including those related to water and sewer usage. Proposed was a $75 increase in base fees for water and sewer services to cover increased costs. Additionally, an ordinance was discussed concerning the improvements and equipment acquisition for city schools, focusing on HVAC systems.

Contracts for emergency utility repair and the refunding of building permits were addressed. Arthur Henry was awarded the contract for emergency utility repair, and Tesla Energy Operations Inc. received a refund due to the cancellation of a charging facility installation.

Seasonal part-time employment was also a topic of discussion, with the council considering rehiring the same team as the previous year. They included names such as Jimmy ARS, Lugene T, David Rumsey, Steve Corey, and lead peer Master Dan Zameto. Moreover, the council authorized the mayor to sign a contract for a fireworks display on July 3rd, taking extra precautions to protect public property.

The council took up the issue of digital beach badges and the hiring of beach badge checkers for the Department of Revenue and Finance. They also touched on beach replenishment efforts and the challenges of addressing erosion in specific areas.