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3/6/2016 8:05:56 AM

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Section 4: General
Subject: Parks & Recs Cost Msg# 943008

From:

Thomas Herrick OPA Board Member

Joined 4/20/2011

To:

Skip Schlesinger (Read)

Joined 4/17/2013

Skip,

Back in 2011 the net operating loss for Parks and Recs was $356,000.00. The losses have continued to mount each year thereafter, reaching a now expected $553,000.00 loss this coming year. During the Budget process, the Budget and Finance Committee stated that Ocean Pines continues to subsidize Worcester County residents enjoyment of our programs and events. The committee pointed out that Worcester County spends $30.86/per resident to provide Parks and Recreational Services whereas Ocean Pines spends $73.32/per resident - more than double. (Our association members also support the County Parks and Recs programs through the county tax bill) The B&F Committee recommended that Ocean Pines mandate that programs offered should have a minimum of 66% of Ocean Pines residents enrolled and that associate fees for non-association members be analyzed and addressed. It seems the more these programs have expanded, by accommodating the non-association members, the greater the financial burden is being put on our membership.

What should be of some concern to our membership is how lack of management and oversight continue to allow these losses to grow year after year.

Hopefully, the Parks and Recreation Committee will help explore and address these concerns and give consideration to how, we as a community, can become better stewards towards providing the fiscal responsibility and protection our association deserves.

Tom Herrick

For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where:
The following was sent to the editor of The Bayside Gazette; regarding verbiage used describing the OPA Rec & Parks Dept.

Looking inside OP's 2017 fiscal year budget article

This article was viewed in the 03/03/16 edition, written by Josh Davis. I would like to address the verbiage used; specifically the phrase: “Looking at amenities, recreation and parks is the biggest drag on the bottom line, projecting a $552,000 loss, or a $65 cost to each homeowner in assessment dollars”
As a member of the OPA Recreation & Parks Advisory Committee, I’d like to identify some of the benefits each OPA homeowner is getting for the $65 part of the assessment. There are 11 parks in the OPA; most have playground equipment, several are set-up as sports fields, there are nature trials, bike trails, and a dog park.
In 2015, there were over 6000 participants in OPA Rec & Parks programs. There are over 63 organizations using the various facilities and/or involved in the OPA Rec & Parks Dept programs.
The Rec & Parks Dept provides many FREE events thru out the year. To name several, The Easter Celebration (800 estimated attendance), Bike Safety Day (200), Big Truck Day (750), Concerts in the Park (600), Monday Movies in the Park (1000), July 4th Day of Fun (500) , Kite Day (300), Fireworks (3500), Holiday Tree Lighting (750) and Breakfast with Santa (350). Statistically, the OPA Rec & Parks Dept provides recreational benefits and serves more residents than all other amenities combined.
For FY2016-2017, the OPA Rec & Parks Dept budget represented approximately 3% of the proposed 2016-2017 budget.
When special events are included, more than 18,000 people use, benefit and enjoy the facilities and amenities of the OPA Rec & Parks Dept.
In my opinion, not bad for an average of $1.25 weeks for 52 weeks per OPA assessment payer

Skip Schlesinger
OPA Rec & Parks Advisory Committee member

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