Ventnor homeowners will need to pony up and pay for a huge $1 million+ increase in the city’s budget.
Newly mailed bills show that taxes are going up by 27% in Ventnor City, New Jersey under the new administration of Holtzman, Landgraf & Kriebel.
From ShoreNewsToday > Residents fear a double-digit increase in taxes would make Ventnor less attractive to prospective homebuyers.
Mayor Beth Holtzman blamed the tax hike on a former mayor & his administration. Holtzman is the commissioner of finance for Ventnor.
Employee salary and benefits account for 66 percent of the Ventnor budget.
Commissioner Lance Landgraf, who works for the NJ State / CRDA, also blamed the past administration.
> 64% of Ventnor residents saw their taxes go up.
> 22% saw tax increases of between $500-$1,000.
> 14% of Ventnor residents saw taxes raised by over $1,000.
Ventnor Business Administrator Maria Mento, who receives a $137,500 salary for a 3-day work week, said recent union contract negotiations would result in savings over the next 10-20 years.
Mento is a retired executive vice president and chief finance officer for the Atlantic County Utilities Authority.
Adding to the financial woes:
Ventnor leadership is pro-dune. Most residents are not in favor of dune work. The City of Ventnor had to borrow in order to pay $450,000 for contracted dune replenishment. (making old dunes wider & higher)
Reports have shown that mid-summer beach work has caused approx $2 million in losses for local Downbeach business, real estate and future valuations.
In March, Ventnor commissioners introduced a new salary ordinance that allows for raises and higher salary ranges. The ordinance will not have to be amended when salaries are increased from year to year, the mayor said.
- Administrator Mento’s salary can now potentially rise to $150,000
- Mayor Holtzman’s salary can potentially rise from $10,000 to $25,000
- Commissioner Landgraf & Kriebel’s salaries can potentially be hiked from $10,000 to $20,000.
Read More at SHORE NEWS TODAY