'Focused on moving forward' - A message from the General Manager

As we head into the New Year, the team is focused on work on the fiscal 2021-2022 budget.

Every department head in Ocean Pines had input on their budget and I reviewed each department budget with them. Department heads were instructed to use a bottoms-up approach and we all followed guidance from the Budget and Finance Committee.

Preliminary proposed budget binders went out to Budget and Finance Committee members and Board members on Dec. 18 this year, which is the earliest they’ve ever gone out. Credit to the team for putting the work in.

We were also transparent throughout this process, and posted the preliminary proposed budget on our website in December.

Next, the Budget and Finance Committee will review the preliminary proposed budget in January, followed by review by our Board of Directors. The Board will hold a final hearing and vote to adopt the finalized budget in February.

There are many challenges in the budget process this cycle that are unique. Obviously, Ocean Pines has never had to deal with a pandemic, and we’re still feeling the impact of COVID-19 on our operations. In particular, Aquatics and Recreation and Parks were affected, along with Beach Parking.

The team is also working on a major drainage project, which continues to be a priority, and we have to keep up with other scheduled drainage projects, including replacing old and worn-out piping throughout the community.

The cost of salaries, health care and liability insurance are also going up, with mandatory minimum wage increases playing a key role.

All of those factors will affect assessments next year. What the Board and the Budget and Finance Committee will have to weigh in their review, is how much of the favorability from this year will go to help offset that. Because of Paycheck Protection Program grants received this year, we’re estimating a $650,000 favorability to budget by the close of fiscal 2020-2021.

The team also continues to study new stimulus packages offered by the state and federal government, and we will pursue those vigorously to help protect the Ocean Pines homeowners and stabilize assessments going forward.