CONVENTION CENTER FUND & MUSEUM

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

FISCAL YEAR 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET

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BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:

REVENUE CHANGES:

Budgeted revenue for Hall Rental and rental of the Performing Arts Center increases $155,000 in FY 25. Special Events revenue includes $50,000 anticipated from the Holiday Shopper’s Fair, and $75,000 for city-sponsored events to be held in the Performing Arts Center. Revenue estimates for Concession Revenue and Service Charges increase $135,000. Sales/Other reflects estimated revenue from the housing bureau. Food & Beverage Tax generated goes toward the retirement of debt for the Convention Center expansion. The rate was reduced from 1% to ½% in FY 10. Food & Beverage Tax is anticipated to generate $1,800,000 that will go toward debt retirement in FY 25. As the food tax exceeds the debt service payment, $488,916 will go into Convention Center reserves for future debt payments. $200,000 will go into a fund for capital improvements at the Convention Center. Both the State Operating grant and the Town’s contribution will increase $232,523 for FY 25.

PERSONNEL CHANGES:

Thirty-nine full-time positions are funded in FY 25. Two part-time Maintenance Worker positions, one Office Associate position and one part-time Event Coordinator position were converted to full-time in FY 25. An additional Maintenance Worker position was requested, but not funded. The Inside Sales Manager position is funded through the Convention Center. A Sales Director position is funded 50% in the Convention Center budget. A step increase and a 3% COLA effective January 1, 2025 have been funded. The Museum division employs two full-time employees. Part-time and seasonal positions are used by both the Convention Center and the Museum. Staffing at the Welcome Center has been reduced $7,710 to partially offset the conversion of the Office Associate to full-time. Ten part-time, year-round Maintenance Workers and one part-time Event Coordinator are utilized by the Convention Center, while four Museum Aides and an Office Associate are funded at the Lifesaving Museum. As the Museum of Ocean City will be opening in late FY 24, additional staff has been funded for that location. Overtime in the Maintenance division is funded at $75,000, an increase of $10,000. Projected benefit costs for pension and health insurance increase, while projected expenses for worker’s compensation decrease. No contribution to retiree health has been funded.

CHANGES IN OPERATIONS:

Contracted Services increase in FY 25. Travel and dues for the Sales staff have been funded through the Tourism division. Other Contracted Services include credit card fees, dry cleaning and advertising. In FY 25, $100,000 has been included for potential city-sponsored events held in the Performing Arts Center. Credit card fees were budgeted at $35,000, and a Comcast fiber contract was included at $21,312. Ungerboeck software annual fees have been included at $29,702. Traffic and Parking Lot management has been funded at $55,000. Maintenance costs account for $659,228 of the Convention Center budget. Escalator, elevator, HVAC, and equipment repair are budgeted at $579,348. HVAC repairs recommended by the Public Works Facilities Manager total $217,750. The HVAC annual contract cost is funded at $234,632. Building maintenance accounts for another $80,000. Overall, maintenance costs increase $103,880. In the Museum budget, general building maintenance has been projected at $19,761. A replacement HVAC for artifact storage has been funded at $8,500. Operational supplies for the Convention Center include costs for such items as exhibit decorating materials, supplies to clean and maintain the building, aisle and booth carpet, and replacement AV equipment. Operational supplies are funded at the same level as FY 24. Energy costs remain flat. Vehicle maintenance costs are expected to increase. Intragovernmental allocations for property insurance, General Overhead, IT and radio lease all increase. Debt Service includes principal and interest on the 2018, 2021, and 2023 bonds and the Energy Performance Lease, and decrease $718,426 for FY 25 as the 2013 bonds are paid off. Food and Beverage tax receipts, interest, and prior year Food Tax reserves will be used to pay the debt service on the bonds. Transfer to Reserves includes $200,000 to be set aside for the capital maintenance fund, and $488,916 for future debt service.