By Greg Ellison

(Dec. 24, 2020) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors received updates on year-to-date financial reports, record-setting rainfall totals, delinquent account collections and reforming the Racquet Sports Advisory Committee during its virtual meeting on Saturday.

Financials

General Manager John Viola presented a flash report for current fiscal year operating balances through November.

Net revenues, which were budgeted at $262,000, closed at $290,000 for a favorability of $28,000.

Expenses during November, which were budgeted at $975,000, closed at $915,000, for a favorability of $60,000.

Viola said despite the totals combining for a positive variance of $88,000 over projections, the remaining handful of months in fiscal 20-21 is likely to trend in the opposite direction.

“Despite the favorability losses are coming,” he said.

Racquet sports

Director Camilla Rogers moved to reform the Racquet Sports Advisory Committee

“Racquet sports are growing at a rapid pace,” she said. “There are lots of new tennis and Pickleball players.”

Rogers said the goal is to attract people involved with tennis, platform tennis or pickleball to help identify facility requirements.

Rogers said the reconstituted advisory committee would present future proposals for improving racquet sports facilities to the board.

“Participants from all forms of racquet sports will have the opportunity to participate in the committee,” she said.

The board voted unanimously to reinstate the previously suspended committee.

Rainfall

Viola said a deluge of calls were received from residents about flooding during an extreme downpour on Dec. 5.

“We got a lot of calls,” he said.

Following the heavy rain on that Saturday, Viola on Monday conferred with Public Works and CPI Director Eddie Wells who shared the potentially record breaking totals.

“We received 5.7 inches of rain on Sat. Dec. 5,” he said.

Viola said annual precipitation numbers have eclipsed previous yearly totals.

“A lot of people said it was the worst they’ve ever seen,” he said.

Delinquent accounts

Director Doug Parks, per a request last month from OPA President Larry Perrone, presented a report on delinquent assessment payments.

“As of July 31 this year there were 1,071 delinquent accounts for $1.665 million,” he said.

During the intervening months the outstanding balances have dropped significantly.

“As of Nov. 30 we were down to 490 delinquent accounts for $974,000,” he said. “We will continue a concerted effort to reduce it anyway possible.”

Parks said the board would receive a formal report on assessment fee collections in February, per bylaw requirements.