OCEAN PINES – The Ocean Pines Association board of directors succeeded in passing a budget that reduces the assessment increase by $10 while retaining the contributions to reserves. The $35 increase supports a $10 million budget that retains several of General Manager Bob Thompson’s revenue-driving plans while reducing or eliminating others.

“It’s a long road that’s going to require a lot of work,” Thompson said of the budget. “I know I can make it work.”

The proposed director of recreation was turned into a seasonal rather than a year-round position, the human resources position was reduced to part time and the IT director position was completely eliminated. 

Board president Tom Terry said they were able to negotiate with two of the four dissenting directors to strike a deal that allowed the budget to pass. The final vote was 5-2 with Rob Handleman and Ray Unger refusing to endorse the plan.

Terry, who was in favor of the original budget, said Thompson still has the board’s confidence. He said Thompson was given a reduced financial target and composed the budget to their specifications.

“We’ve got our budget and we’re moving forward,” he said.