MOBILE HOME ORDINANCE The City Council will...

MOBILE HOME ORDINANCE

The City Council will look at finalizing an amendment to the

city’s zoning code to protect mobile home owners from losing their

homes if their park owner decides to sell the property for a

different use.

The city’s current law assigns a depreciating value to mobile

homes that allow park owners to compensate mobile home residents as

little as $5,000 per unit. The new ordinance would require mobile

home park owners to pay the assessed fair market value of the homes,

or the in-place value based on the location of the park. It would

also require mobile home park owners to offer relocation assistance

to mobile home owners that are displaced because of the sale of a

mobile home park, and would provide protection against steep rent

increases designed to drive out park residents.

WHAT TO EXPECT

An ordinance to change the way the city handles mobile home park

conversions needs four votes to pass and it appears that the support

is there. Councilman Dave Sullivan has expressed support for the

ordinance along with Councilwoman Debbie Cook and Connie Boardman.

A swing vote on the ordinance appears to rest in the hands of

Councilwoman Jill Hardy. Boardman delayed a vote on the ordinance at

the last council meeting because Hardy was unable to attend.

CITY BUDGET

After two study sessions, the council is looking to improve this

year’s $297-million budget.

This year’s budget is balanced, requires no lay-offs and has set

aside nearly $148 million for the general fund.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Unlike past budget years, the lack of major cuts or layoffs in

this year’s fiscal picture has generated little controversy for Surf

City’s spending plan.

There still are concerns about the city’s plan to tackle the

growing retirement obligations and a growing list of deferred

maintenance problems, but overall, the council is expected to approve

the budget without any major revisions. Expect some discussion on how

the city plans to spend the $1 million it just earned through the

sale of 214 5th St.