ENGINEERING & BEACH REPLENISHMENT

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

FISCAL YEAR 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET

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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 and a 3% COLA beginning January 1, 2025 have been included. Benefit costs for retirement and worker’s compensation decrease for this division, while health insurance increases. 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 $488,646 was made in FY 23, and a payment of $415,338 was made in FY 24. Payments to the fund are estimated by the Department of Natural Resources, who have estimated the FY 25 payment at $450,000. 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 $5,000 for FY 25, a reduction of $5,000. Traffic data collection and other consulting fees have been funded at $10,000. A posi track rental for cleaning beach crossovers has been included in the FY 25 budget at $25,000. Supplies and materials include a new data collector for the survey equipment at $5,000. Vehicle supplies and repairs are budgeted to decrease. Allocations for vehicle lease, IT Services and radio lease increase, while the allocation for insurance decreases.

MAJOR 2024-2025 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 reports to the Public Works Director, project management for Public Works projects will be a responsibility of this division. Projects included in FY 25 are Convention Center elevator and escalator reconstruction, the Bank of Ocean City building remodel, and the Museum elevator addition. Bulkhead replacement at 17th street, Canal dredging, and boardwalk Comfort Station renovations will also be a priority for FY 25. Other duties handled by this division include stormwater/grading issues, energy management, and traffic calming solutions.