TOWN SPONSORED EVENTS & FESTIVALS

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

FISCAL YEAR 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET

Print/Download Data Summary

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:

REVENUE CHANGES:

Private Event Revenue includes revenue from the Car cruises, and application and permit fees. Revenue from Bikefest has been estimated at $50,000. Estimated revenue for both car cruise events totals $48,000. 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 $55,000. Winterfest admission fees are $6 for everyone twelve and older, yielding an estimated $675,000 in revenue. Estimated revenue for Springfest has been reduced. Special Event revenue has been estimated to increase $10,000. Sundaes in the Park revenue has been estimated at $40,000. 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 25 reflect funding of a step increase and a 3% COLA effective January 1, 2025. One Event Coordinator position has been reclassified from a Grade 112 to a Grade 115. Salary expenses in the FY 22 actual column include costs for labor from Public Works and Parks for Sunfest, Winterfest and Springfest. The FY 24 Adopted budget and the FY 25 Proposed budgets do not include labor costs for other departments. These costs will be adjusted in future budget amendments. Part-time salaries increase $6,293 overall. Winterfest part-time salaries increase $4,378, and includes two additional employees to set up and tear down Winterfest. Overtime costs are projected to increase $1,450. Allocations for retirement and health insurance increase, while worker’s compensation and unemployment decrease.

CHANGES IN OPERATIONS:

Contracted Services increase $347,367. This includes two allocations per MOU to the Airshow for $35,000 each. Entertainment expenses for the Town’s festivals continue to be the major expenditure for festivals. $307,500 has been budgeted for entertainment costs for all events and festivals in FY 25, which includes a $10,000 increase for Springfest entertainment, and $20,000 for entertainment on New Year’s Eve. Entertainment in Sunset Park has been included at $3,500. Fireworks for July 4th and New Year’s Eve have been budgeted at $132,000, an increase of $16,000. Contracted Services for a 150th anniversary gala have been funded at $126,100. Carahsoft event management software has been added at $10,000. Attendance at a Disney leadership course has been funded at $7,005. Other expenditures in this division are the Halloween celebration and the Christmas parade, accommodations for the entertainers and back-up services for the shows. Tent rental has been estimated to increase $38,515 and a heated tent for Winterfest has been funded. Total tent rental expense is budgeted at $430,285. Refurbishment of Winterfest displays has been budgeted at $17,120. Supplies and Materials increase. Included expenses are firepits for the bar area at Winterfest, a replacement Santa chair, $20,000 for a challenge coin/vehicle medallion for the 150th anniversary, $17,450 for replacement bulbs for Winterfest, and $7,800 to replace picnic tables used at Sunfest and Springfest. A replacement storage trailer to store the Winterfest decorations has been budgeted at $12,500. Energy costs are anticipated to increase, but vehicle costs are expected to decrease. Allocations for IT Services, vehicle lease and insurance decrease for FY 25, while the allocation for radio lease increases. A replacement Winterfest display has been funded at $25,000 and New Year’s Eve 150th anniversary balldrop event hardware has been included at $30,000. Total expenses for the 150th anniversary gala are $194,400 and have been funded through fund balance in the General Fund.