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Wildwood officials seek to fund parks and recreation with sales tax initiative

By Adam Lampel

With November fast approaching, officials for the city of Wildwood continue to prepare for a crucial ballot initiative that is expected to provide substantial funding for the city’s parks and recreation system.

The Wildwood Planning/Economic Development/Parks Committee recently held a meeting in order to better identify the uses for the monies that would be collected and establish a means to ensure citizen oversight of the process.

The meeting was initiated after discussions between the group Citizens for Wildwood and the Wildwood Department of Planning that culminated on June 12. The purpose of the meeting was to determine the Citizens for Wildwood group’s support and level of involvement with the initiative.

Members of Citizens for Wildwood want to be assured that the city continues to support the 2007 Action Plan, which includes establishing a permanent citizen commission to assist and provide guidance on the use of monies gained by the sales tax, if it is approved.

The Wildwood City Council formed the Wildwood Citizens’ Committee for Park Progress last year to provide recommendations on the proposed sales tax. Officials also conducted a survey among residents to determine the level of support for the initiative, which proved high.

Wildwood City Councilmember Bart Cohn (ward 1) was a member of the Committee for Park Progress and continues to serve the cause in his new capacity as a City Council member. He serves as a liaison between the involved parties, including the Citizens for Wildwood group.

“They all seemed very supportive,” said Cohn, referring to the Citizens for Wildwood. “That was a welcome response. They want to know specifically what this tax would buy the residents of Wildwood.”

During the June 12 meeting, a motion was passed requesting a formal response from the City Council on its stance for a permanent committee and the adherence to the 2007 Action Plan.

The Wildwood Planning/Economic Development/Parks Committee felt this request was appropriate and reasonable so the Department of Planning drafted a resolution that the City Council approved on June 23. However, no action was required because it only reinforces a similar resolution passed last October.

Cohn said that essentially the information was reorganized to present a clearer picture of the plan associated with the park sales tax.

A permanent advisory committee is expected to be formed in response to the Citizens for Wildwood group’s requests.

“What came back to the Citizens for Wildwood was exactly what the Citizens for Wildwood asked for,” said Bill Kennedy, a member of the group and a former Wildwood City Councilmember. “If any of this is going to be proposed, the citizens of Wildwood need to know how the money is going to be spent, and who will oversee the process.”

Kennedy warned that the action that the City Council took will not ensure the support of the group, but said it definitely is a good first step in the process. Kennedy added that currently, support among group members seems to be strongly in favor of the proposed sales tax.