Original Article Written by WestNews Magazine

“Wildwood city officials already have a number of ideas about how to spend the $1 million payout it received as a result of the class action lawsuit brought against Charter Communications.

The lawsuit was for gross receipt tax collections for phone services that Charter provides to its customers. This resulted in $1.01 million in unbudgeted revenue – a culmination of payments paid under protest for several years and a large settlement amount received in April, said City Administrator Tom Lee.

One option is to give homeowners a rebate of $90 each to credit toward their trash services. Recently, two new trash haulers were hired in the city with rates that were significantly higher than before. 

“This unexpected recovery we just received is our residents’ money and we’re operating with a balanced budget,” Mayor Jim Bowlin said. “Giving their money to them demonstrates our commitment to smaller, efficient government during this period of high inflation that’s hurting everyone.”

While Bowlin had noted in a memo to the City Council that improvements to city hall are needed, he later stressed that “any consideration of the building, internet, etc. is a separate matter with funding from other sources.”

In the memo, Bowlin wrote, “Our municipal building is now several years old, and our Town Center is being further developed. To plan for the future, it would be advisable for us to examine the viability of the current building and its location on both a short and long-term basis.”

To explore this option further, an ad hoc committee was created. Bowlin said the committee will look at short-term and long-term issues and options regarding the municipal building.

The new committee comprised five council members was approved during that body’s Sept. 11 work session.

One of the issues that needs to be addressed is the city hall’s HVAC system, which recently stopped working on the second floor. 

In discussing the settlement funds, council member Rob Rambaud (Ward 6) suggested setting aside funds for Phase 2 of the citywide internet project. Phase 1 cost $6.75 million to service 2,025 homes and at least 471 additional homes still need service; it would cost an estimated $2 million, Lee said.

A final option would be to transfer the money to the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) fund account already in existence.

A report on the various options will be brought back before the council at its Monday, Oct. 9 meeting.”