OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
NOVEMBER 30, 2018
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
LIFESTYLE
CHRISTMAS PARADE IN OC Annual procession along Coastal Highway from 100th to 120th streets this Saturday– Page 25
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OC issues bid for gym parcel in foreclosure New water treatment plant would go on 67th Street lot
MORGAN PILZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY
HOLIDAY SHOPPERS Thousands of people peruse the merchandise of more than 150 local and out-of-state vendors during the 35th annual Holiday Shopper’s Fair at the Ocean City convention center on 40th Street, last weekend.
Council considers raising room tax With property tax revenue still off, city looks elsewhere for money
By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Nov. 30, 2018) A half-cent increase in Ocean City’s room tax rate could be in the offing, as the City Council sees that as a possible way to increase revenues because of static property taxes and the increased cost of services. Bumping the room tax rate for hotels, motels and rentals from 4.5 to 5 percent, was discussed as part of a revenue and fiscal policy review presentation given by Budget Manager Jennie Knapp and City Manager Doug Miller during the council work session on Tuesday. “We want to go over some of our fiscal policies, which includes the debt policy and how we use fund balance in reserves,” Miller said. “We are coming up to budget preparations for FY20.” Knapp said real property taxes account for 48 percent
‘We want to go over some of our fiscal policies, which includes the debt policy and how we use fund balance in reserves.’ City Manager Doug Miller of general fund revenues, while charges for services, grants and room taxes supply the rest. “Part of the conversation as we go into next year’s budget is … trying to determine what revenue sources in the general fund should pay for what services,” she said. The general fund is the city’s primary operating budget, which in addition to supporting public safety, public works, solid waste, recreation, tourism, special events, general government and debt service, also proSee OC COUNCIL Page 8
By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Nov. 30, 2018) Ocean City is inching closer to a groundbreaking for a new water treatment plant, as the City Council agreed to a bid for more than $1.2 million to purchase the former World Gym building on 67th Street during a closed session meeting earlier this month. Council President Lloyd Mar- Council President tin provided an Lloyd Martin said update on po- the council voted tential property unanimously purchases at a during a Nov. 5 council work closed session session on Tuesto offer Wells day. Fargo Bank Martin said $1,205,825 the council voted unanimously during the Nov. 5 closed session to offer Wells Fargo Bank slightly more than $1.2 millon for the property at 107-109 67th Street. In September, the council voted in closed session to condemn the property when it was in the midst of foreclosure proceedings. The city already had completed property acquisitions between 65th and 67th streets for a proposed water treatment plant. Zeke’s World LLC, which had operated the gym, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2016, with liabilities up to $10 million and no more than $500,000 in assets. Wells Fargo Bank bought the property at a foreclosure auction for roughly $1.134 million in September. The property has two standing See CITY BIDS Page 7