Mayor: Atlantic City government will shut down for 3 weeks

Monday, March 21, 2016 | 4:44 p.m.

The mayor of Atlantic City, N.J., says the resort town's dismal finances will force a weekslong shutdown of all nonessential government services starting early next month.

Republican Don Guardian said Monday the shutdown would start April 8 and likely last until at least May 2, when quarterly tax revenue is set to arrive. Police, fire and sanitation workers will continue to perform their jobs without pay during that time but will be paid when the tax money comes in.

Guardian says the city could be in a similar situation in a couple months, especially if the state withholds aid.

The city's tax base has contracted since four of its 12 casinos closed. State lawmakers are debating a financial takeover plan Guardian says goes too far in wresting control from city officials.