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Absecon City moves to secure $4 million in IBank funding for drainage, sewer and ADA upgrades
Summary
Council introduced a $2 million bond ordinance and is pursuing a separate $2 million IBank sanitary-sewer grant, together totaling $4 million in IBank funding to address long‑standing drainage and sewer projects; engineering said the funds function as principal‑forgiveness loans and will be forgiven after project completion. City hall lobby ADA work is slated to start Nov. 17.
Absecon City Council on Nov. 6 introduced a $2 million bond ordinance to fund drainage management improvements in the Obse(c/in) Estates neighborhood and heard that the city is also applying for a separate $2 million IBank sanitary‑sewer grant, bringing the municipality’s IBank funding pursuit to about $4 million.
The city engineer, Ed, told the council the IBank program is structured as a principal‑forgiveness loan. "You technically set it up as a loan … you then do the project. They will provide the city with the funds to pay the bills. So you're never actually borrowing any money," Ed said, adding that once the project is complete the loan is forgiven and the city effectively receives a grant.
The council and engineering staff described the projects as large, multi‑year drainage and sewer efforts that have been awaiting funding. "These are big drainage projects that are just kind of too big to bite off with our budget," Ed said, noting the sanitary‑sewer application is a separate IBank request that, together with the drainage ordinance introduced tonight, will allow the city to pursue multiple long‑deferred projects.
Engineering also reviewed near‑term construction timing. Road projects awarded for next year, including work on Delaware Avenue, had pre‑construction meetings this week; staff said major street work likely will not begin until early next year to avoid digging up streets during the holidays. Shore Road final plans and specifications have been sent to the county for bidding and the county is coordinating an interlocal agreement.
Separately, the council heard that a city‑hall lobby renovation to improve ADA access will start soon. The engineering report and the municipal administrator said the remodeling will remove the interior vestibule, install an exterior push‑button automated door, and require a temporary closure of the drive‑thru beginning Nov. 17; residents will receive public information about access changes during construction.
Mayor (title) urged residents to support local businesses during the holidays and council members said the city will continue aggressively pursuing grant funding to reduce the burden on local taxpayers.
What’s next: the drainage bond ordinance (Ord. 17) was introduced and laid over for public hearing and final reading on Nov. 20, 2025; the city will continue to work with county officials and contractors to finalize schedules and public notices for the sewer and road projects.
