WATER FUND

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

FISCAL YEAR 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET

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BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:

REVENUE CHANGES:

In accordance with the 2024 rate study, the metered rate increases to $5.90 per 1,000 gallons, and the fixture rates increase to $2.25 per equivalent fixture. These rate increases generate $1,046,757 in additional revenue. The estimated number of gallons increases 89,342 for FY 25. Revenue from water connections is expected to remain the same in FY 25. Capacity, or Impact fees were enacted in FY 2005 and were increased to $126 per fixture in the FY 11 budget. Capacity fees are anticipated to result in $142,128 to fund Water department capital projects.

PERSONNEL CHANGES:

Twenty-one full-time positions are included in the Water Fund. A step increase and a 3% COLA effective January 1, 2025 have been funded. Three additional positions are currently shared with the Wastewater Fund. They are: an Office Associate, a Purchasing Technician and a SCADA Technician. Interdepartmental labor for the use of Public Works’ manpower, has been budgeted at $60,000. Deductions have been made from Public Works for like amounts. Overtime costs are estimated to increase $2,400 for FY 25. Health insurance, retirement and worker’s compensation allocations increase. No funding has been included for retiree health.

CHANGES IN OPERATIONS:

The Contracted Services line item includes professional and contracted services. Professional Services, which include engineering services and tank painting inspection services are budgeted at $120,000, an increase of $23,700 from the FY 24 adopted budget. The FY 25 budget includes painting/contract bid documents for the water tower on 1st street. Contracted Services includes $40,000 for hydrant painting, an ongoing project first funded in FY 21. The Maintenance line item includes costs for building and equipment maintenance. Painting the 42nd street water tank was funded in FY 23 at $700,000. No tank painting was included in FY 24, or in FY 25. Plant building and equipment maintenance have been budgeted at $521,737. HVAC repairs not covered by the contract have been included at $30,000. Routine equipment maintenance, such as well maintenance, has also been included in this category and totals $343,964. Routine well maintenance has been funded at $120,000. Inspection and repair of the chlorination equipment has been budgeted at $20,000, and replacing a booster pump at the 136th street water plant has been included at $30,000. Costs for Supplies and Materials are expected to decrease $203,870 in FY 25. Water chemicals are budgeted at $781,256. Supplies for repairs to water pipes, fire hydrants and valves are included at $100,000, a decrease of $150,000. Energy costs are expected to decrease in FY 25. Vehicle fuel has been budgeted at the average number of gallons used for the past three years, and has been funded at $38,275. Vehicle parts and labor costs are expected to increase. Intragovernmental allocations increase for radio lease, IT Service, General Overhead, and insurance, while the allocation for Vehicle lease decreases. Debt service costs increase $861,762 for this fund. Transfer to capital projects includes $793,238 for water main upgrades, $400,000 for a hydrant project, and $200,000 for water meter replacement. An F150 single cab 4×4 pickup truck has been funded through Vehicle Trust. Per the rate study. $198,410 will be transferred to reserves for future capital projects.