Guest column: County budget passed

The following appeared in the spring 2023 Ocean Pines Report quarterly newsletter: /documents/20124/91011/OP_newsletter_v55no3_web.pdf/48fe5b2d-9750-8028-7c2a-eba214908eba

 
The Worcester County Fiscal 2024 budget was passed by Commissioners during our June 6 meeting. The $235,890,227 budget reflects an increase of $8,833,449, or 4% more than the FY23 budget while reducing the requested expenditures of $241 million by $5.8 million. Budget decisions were based upon current and projected trends.

The FY24 budget maintains the real property tax rate of 84.5¢ per $100 of assessed value and the county’s local income tax rate of 2.25%. Worcester County residents will continue to benefit from the lowest income tax rate and the third lowest real property tax rate, as compared to all other counties in Maryland. This fiscally conservative budget maintains funding for valuable public services such as public safety, education, and infrastructure.

The county allocation for the Board of Education’s (BOE) operating budget is $100,765,319, a decrease of $218,286 based on a lower student population. School construction debt and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) is paid by the county on behalf of the BOE. These expenses are not reflected in the BOE’s budget; however, it is included in the county’s operating budget. The BOE’s approved operating budget of $100,765,319 plus debt service of $10,797,206 and OPEB of $8,485,818 totals $120,048,343, or 51% of the County’s total estimated revenue.

The cost per student increased 4.7% to $26,884 for fiscal 2024, the highest of all jurisdictions in the state.

County employees received a 2% Cost of Living Adjustment as well as a step increase, which is 2.5%.

Ratepayers of the Ocean Pines Water and Wastewater district will see a $12 increase in their base quarterly bills beginning in July. This increase was unfortunately unavoidable and is directly related primarily to increased costs for fuel and chemicals.

To honor volunteers whose contributions help improve the quality of life locally, Worcester County residents are invited to nominate individuals, organizations, and businesses for the Volunteer Spirit of Worcester County awards. The nomination period is open through Aug. 25 at 4:30 p.m.

Volunteer Spirit nominations will be accepted for each of the following eight categories, with one winner to be chosen from each: individual, group/team, emerging leader, faith-based, nonprofit volunteer program, local business, veteran, and lifetime achievement.

Nominees should reside in and represent the volunteer spirit of Worcester County. Nomination forms are found online at www.worcestervolunteer.org. Once there, click on “News.” Completed forms may be submitted to the Human Resources Office, Room 1301 in the Worcester County Government Center in Snow Hill, or by contacting Brinkley at 410-632-0090 or [email protected].

All five branch libraries – Berlin, Ocean City, Ocean Pines, Pocomoke, and Snow Hill – will have paper copies of the nomination form. This year nomination forms may also be completed and submitted at any Worcester County branch library.

Finally, the county continues to recruit for multiple positions, including Emergency Services specialists (9-1-1 dispatchers). If you or someone you know is interested in working for Worcester County, go to https://worcesterhr.co.worcester.md.us for a complete listing of open positions and requirements.

If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at 443-783-3248 or [email protected].

Enjoy your summer and be safe.