OPA General Manager Bob Thompson's entrepreneurial inclinations know no bounds. After his incredibly successful idea for Java Bay Cafe in the old Yacht Club, a venture some believe brought millions into OPA coffers, he has now come up with yet another extraordinary money-making scheme to delight members of the Ocean Pines Association.

The proposed 2016-2017 budget contains a capital purchase of a food truck for $55,000, labor for all associated staff to operate it, with the brilliant idea of parking it in front of the new $5 million Yacht Club, as well as other venues, and then sell $5 hot dogs and other food-truck epicurean delights.

Since Worcester County already says OPA does not meet code for parking space requirements, one can only wonder if the county will like the idea of the food truck taking up a couple of spaces. Would you want to park your car next to the food truck location?

There will be a Town Hall meeting to discuss the budget on January 30th at 9 A.M. in the Assateague Room. Anyone looking for entertainment on what might be a cold winter day should consider attending. Perhaps the GM will, as he did with his presentation to sell the Board of Directors on his Java Bay Cafe initiative, present a full-scale Powerpoint envy-of-Hollywood production detailing the number of hot dogs sold nationwide and how hot dog sales are increasing faster than the national debt.

Other Yacht Club budget items sure to please association members include:

• A $7,000 Indoor Digital Signage Package for the Cove. (this one buried in marketing budget).
• $15,000 for additional air conditioning in a new $5 million building
• $5,467 for new furniture for a reincarnated Java Bay Cafe
• $4,770 for glass table tops

Asking questions of board members about the new food truck operation reveals little, even though the board already did a "line by line" budget review. We don't know if the truck will be new or used; we don't know if the truck food sales will be cash-only or allow credit card sales as well. One board member said he wasn't concerned about the details. Another said perhaps OPA could deliver meals-on-wheels in the winter, perhaps even live entertainment brought to your home with the meal.

Lots of interesting stuff in the budget. Just a couple of items:

• Looks like the trolley operation is back after being dumped last year. A trivial $5,000.
• Marketing & Public Relations includes a graphic design item for $20,600 and web hosting for $4,200, and website upgrades for $2,500. Looks like the usual no-bid contracts handed out on these. There is also $7,000 for a billboard someplace. Chump change overall, I'm sure a board majority will opine..

Looking to be entertained? The proposed budget is in the lobby of the administration building. Comfortable seat there for you as well. Let us know if you find anything interesting.

Image Info: Photo of food truck from budget Bob Thompson proposed for purchase at $55,000 to sell $5 hot dogs at the new $5 million YC and other venues around Ocean Pines.