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Ventnor adopts ordinance creating cap bank to allow up to 1% additional appropriations
Summary
The Ventnor City Commission adopted an ordinance allowing the city to exceed the municipal appropriation limit by up to 1% (moving from 2.5% to 3.5%) and to bank unused capacity for future years; the public hearing drew no speakers and the ordinance passed on roll call.
The Ventnor City Commission on Jan. 22 adopted ordinance 2026-001 to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a "cap bank." City officials said the change allows the city to use an additional 1% of the appropriations limit (raising the potential cap from 2.5% to 3.5%) and to "bank" any unused portion for up to two future years to cover unforeseen overages. Staff emphasized the ordinance does not increase current-year appropriations.
The mayor opened and closed the public hearing on the ordinance with no members of the public speaking. The council adopted the ordinance by roll call at the meeting; all members present voted in favor. City staff said the measure is an annual procedural action the city takes to preserve budget flexibility and to comply with state guidance on municipal appropriation limits.
The ordinance was presented by city staff who explained the mechanics of the cap bank and provided historical context for municipalities operating near the 2.5% statutory cap. The adoption does not change this year’s spending amounts; it changes the legal ceiling and the mechanism by which unused capacity can be carried forward.
Next steps: the ordinance is in effect as adopted, and staff said the cap-bank calculation will be reflected in future budget work when applicable.
