(Oct. 27, 2016) The Ocean Pines Association Budget and Finance Committee discussed the following items during a meeting in the administration building on Oct. 19:
Budget review
Viola confirmed that the committee would meet publically to discuss the next fiscal year budget on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12 at 9 a.m. The location has yet to be determined. A third day is also possible, as last year the committee added a third half-day for additional discussion.
The committee will meet again on Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. in the administration building. No November meeting was scheduled.
Budget recommendations
Board liaison Pat Supik said the directors discussed committee budget guidance during a work session just two days earlier and, for the most part, were either already implementing or recommending all of the suggestions of the committee.
One item that “probably caused the most discussion,” Supik said, was the notion of doing the budget in a “multiyear format.” She said interim General Manager Brett Hill said creating a multiyear budget by January “may be totally, totally out of the question.”
Another item that was apparently rejected, she said, was the notion to not reduce collections for reserve accounts.
Overall, Supik called the debate “a great discussion,” adding, “I hope it continues.”
Marching orders
Committee Chairman John Viola said Board President Tom Herrick sent an email asking all committee members to abstain from contacting the general manager or other OPA staff directly. Instead, in accordance with association bylaws, Herrick asked all committees to communicate through their respective liaisons.
“I don’t believe it’s anybody on this team [causing problems],” Viola said. “I don’t think any of you would do that.”
Volunteer shortage
Committee member John O’Connor said the Ocean Pines Fire Department were short about 17 volunteers from what it normally carried. If that trend continues, he warned, the department might be forced to ask for more funding and hire additional staff to cover the shortage.
Could the county possibly help fund the EMS portion of the fire budget, O’Connor wondered.
“Getting county to pay sounds good when you say it, but it ain’t gonna work,” committee member Jim Beisler said.
Budget review
Viola confirmed that the committee would meet publically to discuss the next fiscal year budget on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12 at 9 a.m. The location has yet to be determined. A third day is also possible, as last year the committee added a third half-day for additional discussion.
The committee will meet again on Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. in the administration building. No November meeting was scheduled.
Budget recommendations
Board liaison Pat Supik said the directors discussed committee budget guidance during a work session just two days earlier and, for the most part, were either already implementing or recommending all of the suggestions of the committee.
One item that “probably caused the most discussion,” Supik said, was the notion of doing the budget in a “multiyear format.” She said interim General Manager Brett Hill said creating a multiyear budget by January “may be totally, totally out of the question.”
Another item that was apparently rejected, she said, was the notion to not reduce collections for reserve accounts.
Overall, Supik called the debate “a great discussion,” adding, “I hope it continues.”
Marching orders
Committee Chairman John Viola said Board President Tom Herrick sent an email asking all committee members to abstain from contacting the general manager or other OPA staff directly. Instead, in accordance with association bylaws, Herrick asked all committees to communicate through their respective liaisons.
“I don’t believe it’s anybody on this team [causing problems],” Viola said. “I don’t think any of you would do that.”
Volunteer shortage
Committee member John O’Connor said the Ocean Pines Fire Department were short about 17 volunteers from what it normally carried. If that trend continues, he warned, the department might be forced to ask for more funding and hire additional staff to cover the shortage.
Could the county possibly help fund the EMS portion of the fire budget, O’Connor wondered.
“Getting county to pay sounds good when you say it, but it ain’t gonna work,” committee member Jim Beisler said.