Atlantic City residents saw the first budget decrease in a decade as the mayor introduced his budget Tuesday.
The $206 million budget is a 5 percent decrease and saves the average homeowner $138, Guardian said.
2017 AC budget
The budget includes $8 million in cuts to public safety, but loses no positions, the mayor noted. Debt payments that ended Dec. 31 also helped, he said.
"It's tough decisions," Guardian said. "Everyone felt some hits."
The budget was bad news to the county, which will not receive as much of the PILOT money as leaders had wanted.
Instead of receiving the 13.5 percent of casino payments, they will receive 10.4 percent.
Councilman George Tibbitt said that is something he pushed for since many of those who work in the city live in other towns that reap those taxes.
"You have to leave something back here," he said.
