TOWN SPONSORED EVENTS & FESTIVALS
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:
REVENUE CHANGES:
Private Event Revenue includes revenue from Oceans Calling, the Car cruises, and application and permit fees. Revenue from Bikefest has been estimated at $52,000. Estimated revenue for both car cruise events totals $45,000. Equipment usage fees are also included in this line item and have been estimated at $29,500. Application and permit fees have been estimated at $40,000. Winterfest admission fees are $6 for everyone twelve and older, yielding an estimated $618,400 in revenue. Estimated revenue for Sunfest and Springfest have been reduced. Special Event revenue has been estimated to decrease $19,000. Sundaes in the Park revenue has been estimated at $30,000, while revenue from the Martin Luther King weekend events has been estimated at $2,000. Beverage franchise revenue, budgeted in Corporate Sponsorships has been estimated at $20,000.
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
Five full-time positions have been funded since FY 09. Salaries in FY 24 reflect funding of a step increase effective January 1, 2024. Salary expenses in the FY 22 actual column include costs for labor from Public Works and Parks for Sunfest, Winterfest and Springfest. The FY 23 Adopted budget and the FY 24 Proposed budgets do not include labor costs for other departments. These costs will be adjusted in future budget amendments. Part-time salaries increase $20,969 overall. Winterfest part-time salaries increase $23,004 as Winterfest will be a hybrid event and tram service will be offered. Overtime costs are projected to decrease $4,700. Allocations for retirement, health insurance and worker’s compensation increase for this division, while unemployment decreases.
CHANGES IN OPERATIONS:
Contracted Services includes the annual allocation per MOU to the Airshow for $35,000. Entertainment expenses for the Town’s festivals continue to be the major expenditure for festivals. $281,100 has been budgeted for entertainment costs for all events and festivals in FY 24. Entertainment in Sunset Park has been included at $3,500. Fireworks for July 4th and New Year’s Eve have been budgeted at $116,000, an increase of $8,000. Funds for the continuation of the Halloween celebration have been included, as have funds for the Ocean City Christmas parade. Dance parties at Caroline Street have been funded at $13,000. Other major expenditures in this division are tent rental, accommodations for the entertainers and back-up services for the shows. Tent rental has been estimated to increase $34,770 and a heated tent for Winterfest has been funded. Total tent rental expense is budgeted at $391,770. Refurbishment of Winterfest displays has been budgeted at $20,800. Supplies and Materials decrease, but include $20,000 for a replacement office trailer, $12,000 for replacement bulbs for Winterfest, and $6,000 to replace picnic tables used at Sunfest and Springfest. A replacement storage trailer to store the Winterfest decorations has been budgeted in FY 24 at $12,500. Energy costs are anticipated to decrease, as are vehicle costs. Allocations for radio equipment lease, vehicle lease and insurance decrease for FY 24, while the allocation for IT Services increases for FY 24. Replacement Winterfest displays have been funded at $22,000 in capital outlay.