Minutes of Special Commissioners Meeting   -   February 28, 2008

Prior to the opening of the special meeting, Mr. Groon led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The special meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Borough of Wildwood Crest, Cape May County, New Jersey, was held in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room at 9:30 a.m.  On roll call the following answered to their names:

Gould - Cabrera – Groon – Yes

Mr. Groon read the following statement:  In compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, the notice requirements have been satisfied as to the time, place and date of holding said meeting by posting notice on the bulletin board in the Borough Hall and by mailing same to the Herald, Gazette-Leader and The Press on February 21, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.

Mr. Groon next announced the one-way in and the one-way out method of ingress and egress in case of emergency.

The Clerk announced that the only matter for discussion at this Special Meeting was the calendar year 2008 Municipal Budget, and the specific items pertaining thereto as set forth below.

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY:

ORDINANCE NO. 1057

ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH CAP BANK FOR

CY2008 PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that Ordinance No. 1057 be passed on first reading, advertised according to law, be brought up for second and final reading and public hearing on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 718-08

(Authorizing deferral of school taxes to calendar year 2008 in the amount of $1,850,000)

Mr. Groon motioned, seconded by Mrs. Gould, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 719-08

(Authorizing introduction of the 2008 Municipal Budget)

Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Groon, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

George Ziegler, 7710 Seaview Avenue, inquired with regard to the CAP Bank Ordinance previously introduced, if a copy of said ordinance was available for his inspection. The Clerk responded in the affirmative, indicating that he would be happy to provide a copy to Mr. Ziegler. Mr. Ziegler then inquired if the “basics” of the ordinance could be provided. The Clerk responded that the Borough is permitted to “bank” the difference, $101,030.89 being the figure, between what its limit represents, in excess of the final appropriations above the CAP. The CFO added that statutorily municipalities are only permitted to increase appropriations that are operational type appropriates deemed “inside the CAP” from year to year by 2.5%. The law permits a municipality to adopt an ordinance that says “we want to take the CAP at 3.5% for purposes of CAP banking.” That would permit the municipality to actually increase by 3.5%, and the differential is “put in the bank” that has to be utilized in the succeeding two years. If it is not utilized in either of those two years, it is excluded. The CFO stated that this is not any additional spending in the 2008 budget, but, rather, it provides the opportunity to take the extra 1% and put it in the bank in order that the next year it can be added to the Borough’s CAP base.

Mr. Ziegler inquired where the money would be coming from. The CFO responded that it is raised by taxation.

Mr. Ziegler then asked about the meaning of the resolution deferring school tax, inquiring “are you deferring all school taxes?” The CFO responded that that is another statutory provision that permits the municipality to defer the payment of school taxes up to 50% of the prior year’s levy. He added that he was not aware of the exact date that the Borough of Wildwood Crest adopted the policy of deferring school taxes, but it predated his arrival in 1994. He went on to state that the long-term plan is to get the deferral down to zero. He added that the Borough has been deferring less than the permitted 50% for the last five or six years. He assured Mr. Ziegler that the school receives all of its money from year to year, but the Borough is permitted to defer a portion of the payment into succeeding years.

There being no further public comments, Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the meeting be adjourned.

Vote:           Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Dated:         March 19, 2008

Kevin M. Yecco, Borough Clerk