4/10/15 Ocean City Today

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APRIL 10, 2015

BIG WIN The Stephen Decatur boys’ lacrosse team pulled out a 7-5 win over Easton in a physical battle Wednesday – Page 30

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Tax hike level still unknown

By Brian Gilliland Staff Writer (April 10, 2015) With a gulf of $22 million between revenues and requested expenditures, and a law requiring the publication of a “good faith estimate” of the tax rate in advance of the May 5 budget hearing, the Worcester County Commissioners decided on Tuesday to wait until next week to reveal what that number might be. Public hearings are required whenever the tax rate exceeds the constant yield rate, the number determined by the state to produce funding levels consistent with last year’s revenue. This year’s constant yield rate for Worcester is 77.55 cents per $100 of assessed value, up about one-half penny over last year. While Worcester County could charge up to that amount without much fanfare, the problem is that might not be nearly enough. Not only is the county beset by shrinking property values and anemic gains in assessments, it also has a backlog of projects that were delayed because of the last decade’s deep recession. The commissioners were well aware a shortfall was coming, but the size and shape of it remained elusive to the public until a few weeks ago. County Treasurer Phil Thompson delivered a shock: The county could use 100 percent of the rainy day fund socked away by previous commissioners and See RAISE Page 3

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

WELL BALANCED Cascading Carlos Mir helps Grace Wells of Mullica Hill, N.J. spin plates on wooden dowels as well as her head during the Easter Art & Craft and Kid’s Fun Fair at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street last Saturday.

OC police sign for 2 percent pay adjustment Deal with union to avoid arbitration bumps salary tables over three years

By Zack Hoopes Staff Writer (April 10, 2015) The done deal is a done deal. The Ocean City Council voted unan-

imously this week to ratify a three-year contract with the Fraternal Order of Police under the terms that the council and union leaders had agreed to several weeks ago following a long negotiation process. “I think we had some issues, on both sides, with managing expectations,” said FOP Lodge 10 President Shawn Jones. “It seems everyone

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thinks we left a little bit on the table, but that’s probably a good thing.” In February, the FOP – the collective bargaining unit representing Ocean City Police Department officers, up through the rank of sergeant – had declared an impasse in negotiations, which would’ve kicked the city into a binding arbitration process if a deal was not reached.

“We did reach an impasse and that’s something that’s never really happened before,” said Mayor Rick Meehan. “But its amazing what open dialogue and a little bit of trust and conversation can do. “Each time, you learn a little more about the department and I hope the See BELT Page 5

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