Jacobs Argues For Larger Hike in Marina Slip Fees Ocean Pines Association staff are proposing a 3 percent increase in marina slip rental fees as part of the Board of Directors’ review of the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, but Director Steve Jacobs suggested the increase may be too modest given demand for slips and pricing at comparable marinas. ~ Page 3
OPA Seeks County Approval For New Cell Phone Tower The Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals is expected to discuss the proposed cell tower construction in Ocean Pines this week. A special exception, requiring BZA approval, is needed for the cell tower’s construction under the existing Zoning and Subdivision codes. ~ Page 7
Treatment Plant Problems May Cost Pines Ratepayers Ocean Pines ratepayers may soon be required to pay the state’s Bay Restoration Fee after higher-than-normal nutrient loads at the community’s wastewater treatment plant last winter pushed levels above the threshold that allows the service area to remain exempt. ~ Page 12
January 2026
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Pines Board Considers $40 Assessment Increase in Proposed FY26-2027 Budget By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor Ocean Pines homeowners could see a $40 increase in their annual assessment next year to help cover the cost of a new southside fire station and higher water and wastewater charges from Worcester County, while amenity rates would rise only modestly under a proposed fiscal year 2027 budget presented to the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors on Dec. 19. General Manager John Viola told the Board the proposed FY2027 budget is the result of a “bottoms up” process involving review, analysis and clearly defined objectives carried out by department heads across the organization. The approach focused on pricing, expense reviews and identifying opportunities for organic revenue growth, while prioritizing service quality. “But most importantly to
enhance the customer experience” for all homeowners of Ocean Pines, Viola said during the review. He added that staff understand “the importance of the assessment and everything we do and it’s part of our norms is to bring forward the most efficient effective assessment for Ocean Pines.” Senior Director of Finance and Controller Steve Phillips said the assessment increase is directly tied to infrastructure and utility costs. “So we have a $40 increase in the assessment,” he said, citing water and wastewater rate increases and the expense of building the new fire station. Viola noted the current fiscal year assessment is $875. “There’s a $40 increase proposed in this proposed budget,” he said. He explained that $25 of the increase is earmarked for the fire department to pay for construction of
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the new southside fire station. “Not pointing and not saying anything was wrong, but we did not have that funded over the years,” Viola said, adding, “$25 this year is certainly, I believe, a reasonable number.” The remaining $15 of the assessment increase stems from higher water and wastewater fees imposed by Worcester County, which Viola said have affected Ocean Pines significantly in recent weeks. He noted residents have also seen the increases reflected on their own bills. Some of those higher water costs will be absorbed through aquatics fee increases, while Touch of Italy, the association’s food and beverage vendor, is also covering its share of the added expense, Viola said. The proposed budget also includes salary increases averaging about 3.25 percent for staff and the management team, as well as coverTo Page 3