By Tara Fischer
Staff Writer
(Aug. 14, 2025) The Ocean Pines Association is in stellar financial health, officials said last week.
On Saturday, Aug.9, OPA held its annual membership meeting. Here, community leaders provided residents with updates on ongoing initiatives and the homeowner association’s financial position. Reports revealed that Ocean Pines’ coffers are in good standing, being referred to by OPA General Manager John Viola as a “goldilocks situation.”
Viola delved into the community’s finances deeper at Saturday’s meeting. According to the general manager, at the end of fiscal year 2024-2025, OPA was operating at a surplus of $3.1 million. Last year, annual assessment dues for residents were $850. This year, that figure was increased to $875, but is still lower than most years since FY 2013. Expenses are controlled, safety is funded, and staff continue robust drainage, bulkhead, and road programs.
To put these numbers into perspective, Viola compared them to those of 2017. At that time, the community was operating at a deficit of approximately $1.6 million, with yearly assessment fees reaching a high of $996. Drainage, bulkheads, and roads were not funded, and all amenities were operating at a loss. The general manager maintained that today, amenities continue to improve and are the economic engine of the association.
Looking at a schedule of net revenues and expenses, 17 of 20 departments have an increase in revenue and/or a reduction in costs for 2025, Viola said. For instance, aquatics operations are projected to run at a $254,562 loss in 2025, improved from last year’s shortfall of $263,597. For golf operations, revenue is expected to increase to $188,221, up from $76,868 in 2024. The general manager noted that this money is allocated to infrastructure.
“We are well-positioned going into major construction initiatives,” Viola said.
Per the passage of a referendum, the association prepares to start the work on a new fire station, to be funded in part, up to $3.4 million, by OPA. Officials maintain that, although not definite, this project could result in an additional $50 charge for residents on their annual assessments.
The community is continuing its golf course irrigation initiative, a phased project that improves the old, failing infrastructure. Drainage work also continues throughout Ocean Pines, made possible by the neighborhood’s financial health.
The association’s yearly audit backs up Viola’s claims of economic stability. Chris Hall of the accounting firm UHY, which reviews OPA’s fiscal situation annually, noted that the community is flourishing.
“I’m pleased to report it was a very successful year financially,” Hall said. “The results prove that in the financial statements.”