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8/15/2024 10:16:22 AM
 
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Section 5: OPA Board Subject: A Goldilocks Situation Msg# 1209599
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Annual GM report: Operations continues to thrive Budget favorability more than $7 million since 2018; community investments paying off General Manager John Viola, in giving his annual report on Saturday, highlighted how investments in the community continue to pay off. Viola said he's been speaking at Association annual membership meetings since 2016 or 2017, dating back to his volunteer service as the Association’s treasurer and chief financial officer, prior to becoming general manager in 2019. He said it was "the worst of times" during those early addresses, following a $1.6 million budget deficit, but better times were ahead. "The bulkheads, drainage and roads [programs] were not on track. There was no mailbox initiative. Golf, Aquatics, Food and Beverage [and] Racquet Sports all operated with losses," Viola said. Since then, a multiyear recovery period has turned into an unprecedented string of budget favorability and successes. "Last year I spoke about [Ocean Pines] having something special here, and I still believe that's true," Viola said. Today, Viola said the Association has an operating favorability, drainage spending has increased, bulkheads and roads replacement are part of an active strategic plan, and membership revenue is up 13%. He said the Association needs to stay the course. Viola said the Association has totaled just over $7 million in budget favorability since 2018. That money was reinvested and repurposed in the form of maintenance to strengthen amenities and beautify the Association, and public safety to keep the community thriving. "We put it back into the Association," Viola said. Director of Business Administration Linda Martin supplied an overview of amenity and support operations over the past fiscal year. Martin said the Aquatics Department has benefited from fresh blood in a new Aquatics Director, Michelle Hitchens, and the replacement of the splash pad at the Swim and Racquet Club for $36,040. Racquet Sports also got a new director, Terry Underkoffler. Improvements at the center included $25,000 worth of maintenance to the pro shop, replaced structural supports and new screens for platform tennis, and safety measures including a mold review and new line striping and speed bumps. A renovation of the Racquet Center is scheduled this winter. Martin said the Beach Club received repaired and replaced decking, new paint inside and out, and extra palm trees this year. Maintenance at the Yacht Club included replacement of ceiling and floor tiles and new paint throughout the building, and the tiki bar was expanded to enhance the customer experience at a cost of $197,500. The Yacht Club Marina was designated a Maryland Clean Marina for the second straight year. Docks and decks at both the Yacht Club and Swim and Racquet Club marina were repaired, and bathrooms were improved. Phase one of a multiyear irrigation project will soon start at the Golf Club, with the initial phase estimated at $934,000. Martin said the course also benefited from a thatch management project program, and the addition of a new driving range building. Recreation and Parks saw trail maintenance and several improvements to the dog park, as well as a new recreation pier and ADA kayak launch at Pintail Park. Extra lighting and security measures were installed at the Veterans Memorial, and a new pavilion will be built prior to Veterans Day. Support departments also contributed. Martin said Public Relations and Marketing started a new podcast and secured an annual sponsorship. The department oversaw the first electronic sign, increased its social media reach, cut expenses, and set a record for newsletter advertising revenue. Martin said safety was a major focus, especially rebuilding the police force. Two new officers were sworn in, two cadets are currently in the academy, and one graduated from the police academy in December. Maintenance efforts included 2,300 linear feet of bulkhead replacement, with buoys being repaired and replaced through Ocean Pines' waterways. Three miles of roads were paved at a cost of $356,618.20. Drainage investments, on top of normal annual maintenance, included ditch maintenance and $210,637 in new pipe liners. Martin said work was shared by Public Works and outside contractors. Over the last five years, the Association has spent roughly $1 million on new drainage improvements. Beautification efforts included landscaping at the North and South gates, new banners, new fountains at the north gate, and increased holiday decorations. The community also saw new and replaced entranceway signs, including the iconic sail sign at the Yacht Club. Martin said the Association continued phase one of the mailbox replacement project, which has included cleaning and replacing mailbox pedestals. She said operations worked with Board advisory committees, at the direction of the Board, on projects ranging from trail improvements to tree trimming and new plantings. On the customer service front, 1,380 Compliance, Permit and Inspection (CPI) violations were initiated over the last year – 900 more than the prior year. More than 1,000 violations were closed and just under 300 remain open. There were also 1,424 new work orders and 1,236 closed orders. Martin said there were 1,649 emails received through the info@oceanpines.org email address, including 749 general questions, 484 about amenities, 209 about CPI issues, 191 on Public Works, and 16 about drainage. On the financial side, Viola said budget favorability for the last fiscal year was approximately $1.2 million. He recognized Finance Director Steve Phillips, as well as the Budget and Finance Committee for their assistance. Again, he said several years of investments into amenities is paying off. "Golf is driving [the favorability], but so are all our amenities," Viola said. "We have very good amenities, we build them up, we support them, they're turnkey .... and they're all positive." Viola said the Association has invested in public safety through increased salaries, a pension equivalent, and investments in the Volunteer Fire Department. He said public safety used to make up roughly 20% of the budget – now it's closer to 40%. "That money came from organic growth, as well as expense reallocation," Viola said. Reserve levels have risen to approximately $7 million, which Viola called "a goldilocks situation." The budget favorability also helped lower the assessment over the last several years. The basic annual assessment was $921 in 2018. It rose to $996 in 2022, and today is at an eight-year low of $850. "Again, I would term that a goldilocks situation," Viola said. |
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| Calendar |
Town Hall Touch of Italy - Assateague Room
1/16/2025 - 12:00 P.M. 3 days or less away! |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
1/25/2025 - 9: A.M. |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
2/22/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
3/29/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
4/26/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |