OCEAN PINES—As the Ocean Pines Association began to review General Manager Bob Thompson’s fiscal year 2014-2015 budget, which was presented on Jan. 6, two items are already facing resistance—a proposed $15 increase in annual membership assessments and a promotion to offer members a $25 coupon for the upcoming new Yacht Club.
The net increase in member assessments proposed would result in the fees for non-water lots rising from $914 to $929. Member assessments for waterfront lots would increase from $1,379 to $1,394 if the proposed budget is approved.
During a Jan. 6 work session of the OPA Board of Directors, Thompson explained the proposals to increase member assessments would fund increases in budget allocations for:
General Operations, which would include an additional $10 for administration, $26 for public works, and $2 for recreation and parks;
Amenity Operations, which would include an additional $2 for aquatics, and $4 for marinas; and
An additional $7 for replacement reserves, $6 for new capital expenditures, and $10 for a coupon-based Yacht Club promotion.
Thompson said some of the per-lot assessment increases would be offset by proposed reductions for:
General Operations, which would include cuts of $4 from compliance/permits/inspections, $1 from general maintenance, $20 from reconciling budgeted versus actual fire and ambulance costs, and $7 from reconciling budgeted versus actual Police Department costs; and
Amenity Operations, which would include cuts of $5 from racquet sports, $9 from golf operations, $6 from Beach Club parking.
The Budget and Finance Advisory Committee will not support the assessment increase or the coupon proposals, according to Chairman Dennis Hudson. However he said the committee would back most of the remainder of the budget proposal, especially proposed expenditures that were budgeted for the Golf Club.
Hudson gave qualified support to a proposal to create and designate four new positions in the Public Works Department to focus on stormwater mitigation and drainage improvement tasks. He said it was likely that by hiring its own staffers, rather than using contract workers, the OPA could save on the costs. “But that remains to be seen,” he added.
Noting that recent statistics were indicating an increase in crime in the community, Hudson pointed out Ocean Pines Police responded to at least 445 calls for support from external law enforcement entities in 2013 and suggested that the OPA should request additional resources for law enforcement from the county.
OPA Director Bill Cordwell, who recently campaigned on a platform to oppose assessment increases and serves as the board’s treasurer, said on Jan. 14, “I really, really, really do not want any assessment increases this year.”
He suggested an increase could be avoided by forgoing the $10 in assessment increase that was listed in the budget to pay for a $25 promotional coupon proposed for use by members in good standing once the new Yacht Club opens later this year.
The net increase in member assessments proposed would result in the fees for non-water lots rising from $914 to $929. Member assessments for waterfront lots would increase from $1,379 to $1,394 if the proposed budget is approved.
During a Jan. 6 work session of the OPA Board of Directors, Thompson explained the proposals to increase member assessments would fund increases in budget allocations for:
General Operations, which would include an additional $10 for administration, $26 for public works, and $2 for recreation and parks;
Amenity Operations, which would include an additional $2 for aquatics, and $4 for marinas; and
An additional $7 for replacement reserves, $6 for new capital expenditures, and $10 for a coupon-based Yacht Club promotion.
Thompson said some of the per-lot assessment increases would be offset by proposed reductions for:
General Operations, which would include cuts of $4 from compliance/permits/inspections, $1 from general maintenance, $20 from reconciling budgeted versus actual fire and ambulance costs, and $7 from reconciling budgeted versus actual Police Department costs; and
Amenity Operations, which would include cuts of $5 from racquet sports, $9 from golf operations, $6 from Beach Club parking.
The Budget and Finance Advisory Committee will not support the assessment increase or the coupon proposals, according to Chairman Dennis Hudson. However he said the committee would back most of the remainder of the budget proposal, especially proposed expenditures that were budgeted for the Golf Club.
Hudson gave qualified support to a proposal to create and designate four new positions in the Public Works Department to focus on stormwater mitigation and drainage improvement tasks. He said it was likely that by hiring its own staffers, rather than using contract workers, the OPA could save on the costs. “But that remains to be seen,” he added.
Noting that recent statistics were indicating an increase in crime in the community, Hudson pointed out Ocean Pines Police responded to at least 445 calls for support from external law enforcement entities in 2013 and suggested that the OPA should request additional resources for law enforcement from the county.
OPA Director Bill Cordwell, who recently campaigned on a platform to oppose assessment increases and serves as the board’s treasurer, said on Jan. 14, “I really, really, really do not want any assessment increases this year.”
He suggested an increase could be avoided by forgoing the $10 in assessment increase that was listed in the budget to pay for a $25 promotional coupon proposed for use by members in good standing once the new Yacht Club opens later this year.