ENGINEERING & BEACH REPLENISHMENT
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
Five full-time employees are budgeted in Engineering. The Environmental Engineer position was moved to the Planning and Zoning division in FY 23. A step increase beginning January 1, 2024 has been included. Benefit costs for retirement and worker’s compensation increase for this division, while health insurance decreases through use of the health reserve. No contribution has been funded for retiree health.
CHANGES IN OPERATIONS:
Payment to the State of Maryland for the beach maintenance fund is the largest expense in Engineering. A payment of $486,948 was made in FY 22, and a payment of $488,646 was made in FY 23. Payments to the fund are estimated by the Department of Natural Resources, who have estimated the FY 24 payment at $490,000. Contracted Services include payments for consulting services for traffic data, legal fees attributable to this division and equipment lease. Legal fees have been included at $10,000 for FY 24, a reduction of $10,000. Traffic data collection and other consulting fees have been funded at $10,000. OCDC project management was included in the FY 23 budget at $25,000. Supplies and materials have been budgeted at the same level for FY 24. Vehicle supplies and repairs are budgeted to increase. Allocations for vehicle lease and IT Services increase, while the allocations for radio lease and insurance decrease.
MAJOR 2023-2024 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
The City Engineer has the oversight of the Engineering and Beach Replenishment divisions. Responsibility for the Town’s Capital Improvements Plan also falls under the City Engineer. As the division now reports to the Public Works Director, project management for Public Works projects will be a responsibility of this division. Projects included in FY 24 are Convention Center elevator and escalator reconstruction, the Bank of Ocean City building remodel, the Museum elevator addition, and Fire Station 3 Construction. Edgewater Avenue bulkhead between 6th and 7th street will also be a priority for FY 24. Other duties handled by this division include stormwater/grading issues, energy management, and traffic calming solutions.