Reserve

Summary Approved 2023-24 Budget

jected to increase from the current 23.9 percent to 30.8 percent at the end of the 2023-24.

How much should the OPA prudently carry in its replacement reserve?

There’s no state law that mandates a particular percentage, but it’s probably true that the OPA’s percentage is on the high end of all HOAs in the state.

Current Board policy says the percentage should range from 22 to 28 percent, but the Budget and Finance Advisory Committee has suggested a 33-35 percent range.

The Board has not acted on this recommendation, and it’s unclear if it will be considered.

Or if it’s considered, whether it will be approved.

However, the projected increase

Bertino to host town meeting

Worcester County Commissioner President Chip Bertino will host a town meeting on Wednesday, March 15, at 6 p.m. at the Ocean Pines library. Commissioner Bertino will give an update on what is going on around the county.

His guests include Worcester County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Weston Young and Atlantic General Hospital President and CEO Don Owrey.

Young has served as CAO for Worcester County since August 2021 when he was promoted from Assistant Chief Administrative Officer. He is a certified professional engineer, having graduated from the University of Maryland. Prior to joining Worcester County, he has worked for the City of Hampton, VA, Salisbury and Wicomico County, primarily in administration and public works.

Owrey has more than 30 years of health care experience and leading regional health care strategy. Prior to joining Atlantic General in 2022, he spent 20 years in various leadership roles with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Most recently, in addition to his role as President of UPMC Williamsport, he served as the COO for UPMC’s northern region, which comprised six rural and community hospitals, a 450-provider medical group and more than 5,000 employees.

Owrey graduated from Thiel College, in Greenville, PA, and earned a master’s degree in business administration from Robert Morris University, in Pittsburgh, PA.

“This will be an informative meeting,” Bertino said. “There’s a lot going on in the county and I believe my two guests will have a lot to share.” to 30.8 percent in the approved budget for next year is outside the approved policy, and the percentage is only projected to grow in the years that follow.

By 2028-29, the percentage according to a schedule in the approved budget is projected to grow to 42.7 percent, which is much higher than the range recommended by the budget and finance committee. The anticipated balance in the replacement reserve at the end of that year is $9.5 million.

It’s always possible that some cataclysm will occur that requires outlays from the replacement reserve that far exceed the schedule of disbursements outlined in the DMA reserve study.

Big ticket items that might draw down anticipated hefty balances include a new Southside firehouse or a larger contribution for new firefighting apparatus than the current 5050 split with the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department calls for.

OPVFD officials have warned the OPA that the department’s reserves are insufficient to cover its share of apparatus costs, and that may manifest itself in future funding requests greater than that currently anticipated.

Or perhaps there will be an effort to replace the aging Beach Club in Ocean City.

The Community Center operated by the Parks and Recreation Department is at capacity.

The latter two items are not on any official radar at the moment, but OPA General Manager John Viola mentioned at the Feb. 18 Board meeting that advisory committees are beginning to agitate for more funding for various capital projects.