By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – The Board of Commissioners Thursday, May 14 introduced an ordinance to raise utility rates and agreed to hold public auctions to sell two lots in prime locations.
Ordinances 2026-009 and 2026-010 will increase the flat rates charged for water and sewer service. The increase is needed to build reserves to ensure funding is available for long-term infrastructure improvements, including replacing lead service lines over the next decade.
The fee for water service will increase to $400 annually, up $35 from the current rate of $365. The fee for sewer service will increase to $425 annually, up $40 from the current rate of $385. Variable usage fees for 1,000 gallons or more will not change.
A public hearing on the ordinances will be held 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28 at Ventnor City Hall, 6201 Atlantic Ave.
Also at the meeting, the board held a public hearing and approved Ordinance 2026-008 – a bond ordinance appropriating $1.5 million to finance Phase I of the Winchester Avenue water main replacement project. The ordinance is required to obtain construction financing from the NJ Infrastructure Bank (iBank) Program, which will reduce or forgive the debt when the project is completed.
In other utility related discussion, Commissioner of Public Works Lance Landgraf announced that restoration work on the Surrey Avenue water tower is complete.
Landgraf noted that the tank will be filled and drained several times, with water testing completed on each fill. Once the NJ Department of Environmental Protection signs off on the test results, the tower will be back online.
The commissioners also agreed to hold public auctions on two lots in the downtown district.
The minimum bid amount for Lot 2 Block 87, 4803 Ventnor Ave., is $152,000. The minimum bid amount for Lot 15 Block 71, 6512 Ventnor Ave., is $138,000. The city set the bid amounts based on appraisals obtained for the lots.
The City Clerk will schedule a time for the auctions set for June 9. For more information, contact City Clerk Lisa Hand at 609-823-7904 or email lhand@ventnorcity.org.
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