MAY 23, 2024
FREE
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
SUBMITTED PHOTO/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
BAY DAY FUN Arts and crafts projects were among the many activities available for attendees to the annual Bay Day event in Ocean Pines.
Old-Fashioned More financial success for OPA Memorial Day Another year, another solid parade Mon. finanical report from GM to Pines board of directors By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 23, 2024) Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola updated residents on the community’s favorable financial situation, beautification efforts, Ocean City Beach Club and racquet center maintenance, amenity updates, and more at the Saturday, May 18 Board of Directors meeting. Viola, who was named the temporary general manager in April 2019
and signed a full-time agreement in June 2019, said that OPA ended the fiscal year on April 30, 2024, with a $166,000 favorable variance to the budget for the month. “We are favorable,” he said. “That does not mean it is a surplus; much of this money is earmarked. The favorability mostly comes from revenues, and a lot of it is driven by golf.” The fiscal year unaudited, or flash, numbers estimate a $1.2 million favorability to budget. According to the OPA Public Relations and Marketing Director Josh Davis, 2024 marks four straight years with favorable variances over $1 million and six consecutive years with a positive variance.
The official audited numbers will be finalized at the beginning of July. Viola mentioned the favorable and unfavorable factors expected to impact the community in the next fiscal year. The promising aspects, what the general manager calls tailwinds, include positive conditions of Ocean Pines amenities and a motivated staff. The general manager maintained the pools, the golf course, and the marina were ready for the summer season. Additionally, Viola credited the reserve study as a favorable factor for the upcoming year. “This Association, the team, the See REPORT Page 19
GOLD RECORD HIGH!
IS AT AN ALL TIME
By Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor (May 23, 2024) A longstanding tradition will continue next week with Berlin’s Old Fashioned Memorial Day Parade. The parade, which typically brings thousands of visitors and residents to Flower Street, will feature an array of floats, dance groups and marching units. The parade will start at 11 a.m. at Stephen Decatur Middle School See PARADE Page 3
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