Atlantic City Department Directors Report 85% Goal Completion in Mayor Marty Small Sr.’s 2025 Year-End Review

ATLANTIC CITY — City of Atlantic City department directors outlined key accomplishments from 2025 during Mayor Marty Small Sr.’s annual Year-End Review, reporting that the administration completed 118 of 139 goals set at the beginning of the year — an 85 percent completion rate.

The annual review, held December 23, 2025, at City Hall, is part of Mayor Small’s commitment to transparency and accountability ahead of his State of the City address. Each year, department heads are asked to publicly assess whether goals established prior to the address were met.

“The Small Administration sets ambitious goals each year for our leadership, and we hold ourselves publicly accountable by reflecting on them at year’s end,” Mayor Small said. “Despite the distractions we faced this year, this Year-End Review makes clear that we stayed focused and delivered meaningful results.”

Mayor Small noted that while the overall completion percentage was slightly lower than in past years, the administration achieved more total goals than ever before due to an expanded and more ambitious agenda.

Public Safety and Infrastructure Improvements

Enhancing safety and quality of life remained a central focus in 2025. The Atlantic City Police Department increased patrols along Atlantic Avenue, Pacific Avenue, and Renaissance Plaza, supported in part by a $3 million grant from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. The department also introduced new optimized handguns for officers and added five Polaris vehicles for enhanced beach and Boardwalk patrols.

The Atlantic City Fire Department expanded firefighter training throughout the year and acquired a new ladder truck and mini pumper, both expected to enter service soon. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works upgraded its snow emergency fleet and installed signage to assist visually impaired pedestrians in front of all Atlantic City elementary schools.

The City’s Information Technology Office redesigned internal systems and replaced hardware to strengthen cybersecurity protections, while a new ordinance now allows the Department of Licensing and Inspections to require property owners to remove low-voltage wires and satellite dishes from building exteriors.

Economic Growth and Housing Development

Economic development initiatives included the launch of Atlantic City’s first-ever “Keep It Local” campaign to promote and support local businesses. The City also hosted its inaugural Black Business Expo and created a Black Business Directory, while the Small Business Academy continued to equip entrepreneurs with resources for long-term success.

In total, $500,000 in grant funding was allocated to local small businesses in 2025. The Planning and Development Department helped secure more than 200 new residential developments, and the Community Development Block Grant Office contributed an additional $469,000 to the Atlantic City First-Time Homebuyer Lottery Program. Food trucks were also approved to operate at Gardner’s Basin and O’Donnell Memorial Park.

Fiscal Responsibility and Community Engagement

Atlantic City announced its sixth consecutive tax decrease in 2025 while continuing to generate revenue through strategic investments. The City Solicitor’s Office reported additional taxpayer savings through successful litigation and liability defense efforts, and officials expressed optimism about potential future credit rating upgrades.

On the community engagement front, the Public Information Office expanded the Great Day Atlantic City platform as a centralized hub for city news, events, and investment resources. The Health and Human Services Department broadened its lineup of free programs for youth and seniors, while the Anti-Violence Division hosted the City’s first Peace Conference, attracting participants from across the country.

Atlantic City Municipal Court also expanded outreach through a large-scale “Put Your Life Back on Track” event, resulting in hundreds of bench warrants being lifted.

A full list of completed and unmet goals is available at www.acnj.gov. Mayor Small is scheduled to deliver his 2026 State of the City Address on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Golden Nugget Atlantic City.

Thanks for reading the whole story!

At Atlantic City Focus, we're committed to providing a platform where the diverse voices of our community can be heard, respected, and celebrated. As an independent online news platform, we rely on a unique mix of affordable advertising and the support of readers like you to continue delivering quality, community journalism that matters. Please support the businesses and organizations that support us by clicking on their ads. And by making a tax deductible donation today, you become a catalyst for change helping to amplify the authentic voices that might otherwise go unheard. And every contribution is greatly appreciated. Join us in making a difference—one uplifting story at a time!

GET UP WITH ATLANTIC CITY FOCUS and RAYMOND TYLER
STARTING MONAY, FEB 10th AT 8AM!