Atlantic City Council approves huge tax hike

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- Atlantic City's City Council has approved a budget that will boost property taxes by 29 percent.

The Press of Atlantic City reports Mayor Don Guardian told the council on Wednesday the city needed to approve the budget in order to accept $20 million from the state. Otherwise, the mayor said taxes would go up 47 percent.

Some council members said tax appeals by casinos and no hotel or luxury taxes coming into the city from the state put the city in the position.

Resident Emily Vu told the council her taxes went from $7,400 to $12,000.

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