At the August, 2008 meeting, Brown & Caldwell provided “Proposed January 2009″ residential water rates, showing reductions ranging from 6 to 18 percent.

City Council did not change water rates, in 2009.

In November, council did approve a new water rate study by Brown & Caldwell, which would factor in the $6 million in water system funding (half that does not have to be paid back, half at 1 percent interest).  Originally, the results of the new water rate study (factoring in the $3 million grant and $3 million at 1 percent interest loan) were to be delivered to City Council by the end of 2009, based on water superintendent Miles Beach’s presentation at the beginning of November. Beach later said via email that “The contract for the rate  update was changed from 30 to 45 working days for completion, in  consideration of the holidays. With that said, we should have the update by mid January with a formal report to council in February.”

A “Water System Capital Improvement Plan” that spells out the costs of the $16 million drinking water upgrade ($7 million 2010-2012, $3.5 million 2013-2016, $3 million 2017-2020, $3 million 2024-2025) is on the agenda, for Monday night’s council meeting.

The new water rate study is not on the agenda.

From Ordinance 876, which amended the City of Ocean Shores hours, and set furlough days:

2.20.040    Temporary Closures in 2010 All offices of the City normally open for the transaction of business with the public shall be closed on the following weekdays during the calendar year 2010 except for waterworks utilities and shared utility:  January 4, February 1, March 1, March 15, April 5, April 19, May 3, May 17, September 20, October 4, October 18, November 1, November 15, November 29, December 6, December 20 and December 27.

furlough ordinance

Last week’s North Coast News asked people “Where did the money go?,” referring to the $2.2 million in “reserves” (or ending balance) that the City of Ocean Shores spent down, in less than two years.

Next week’s story will focus on the year 2007, when, among other things, 13 full time employees (FTE’s) were added and new union contracts were signed, under the guidance of then-City Manager Rich McEachin.

Any thoughts on spending/expansion or otherwise in the McEachin era (Nov. 2006-Dec. 2007)?

Was the spending a big part of our current problems, or was it other factors (recession, Weatherwax vote, etc.)?

How did things go so bad, so fast?

At the beginning of 2008, Ocean Shores had a very comfortable balance (“reserves”) of $2.2 million. Later that year, newly-elected Mayor Dean Bunkers told city council that layoffs would be needed, to maintain a balance of at least $1
million. In late 2009, Bunkers told council that, if drastic action was not taken, there was a danger that checks could be bounced, in early 2010. Now, even after several rounds of layoffs, Ocean Shores begins 2010 with a balance of only $611,058, according to the 2010 budget. While some adjustments may make this figure slightly higher, the 2010 budget only funds the Library and Interpretive Center for three months each.

Additionally, “interfund loans” from the water utility at the end of 2009 total just over $620,000,  primarily to Emergency Care ($303,000), the Hotel-Motel Tax fund ($167,000) and Convention & Tourism ($110,000).

Monday afternoon, the City of Ocean Shores and Ocean Shores Professional Firefighters Local 2109 announced finalization of an agreement of $80,000 in concessions.
“The City of Ocean Shores greatly thanks our Local 2109 Fire Fighters for giving up over $80,000 in concessions to help balance the City’s 2010 budget,” said Mayor Dean Bunkers, in a release. “Concessions such as these allow the City to maintain adequate public safety for our residents but also helps keep the doors open at the Library and Interpretive Center.”
Last year, the 11 Ocean Shores  firefighters gave $28,000 in concessions to the city.
The previous $28,000 and this $80,000 in concessions comes to nearly $10,000 per union member.
“During this hard financial time it is imperative that we all work together to stay afloat as a city,” said Joel White, Local 2109 president.

*Budget vote

*EMS Utility vote

*Library officially closing?

*Illahee/Oyehut Sewer LID

*Last Patrick/Johnson meeting?

The McEachin “severance package,” which has been referenced in some recent comments (you may need to use your “rotate left” or right tool, or just lean, to view this):

exempt salaries 2007

Through the first 10 months of 2009, the payments to Mayor Dean Bunkers make him:

a) the highest-paid City employee

b) the second-highest paid City employee

c) the fifth-highest paid City employee

d) the tenth-highest paid City employee

e) both c) and d)

First correct answer gets a Prudential Real Estate Ocean Shores street map (soon to be a collector’s item).

Hint: For the answer, see this week’s North Coast News.

Last week, I emailed a list of questions to Ken Mercer, director of the Convention Center. His answers are in this week’s North Coast News. He answered the questions via email, which he also cc’ed to Mayor Dean Bunkers; Art Wuerth, the Finance Director (and the only one of this list that I had cc’ed); Mike Styner, the Police/Fire Chief; Ken Lanfear, the Public Works Director; and Chris Rush, the Publisher/Editor of The Daily World.

At the end of his answers, Mr. Mercer included this:

Ps: Att. Chris Rush:
At 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday I received these questions from Tom S. He knows we are off for the weekend[ just like the Daily world office] yet sends this out late Wednesday. The intent is to call us early Monday and push the envelop or maybe even better get no response. This is an on going problem just ask our Mayor. I received a reminder from Tom that I need the answer!!!! on  Friday
at 6:12 p.m. knowing full well no one is in our office[just like the D.W.]
I protest this kind of treatment and talk down to City government and have had enough.When no one is talking to Tom and you have NO relationship with the City I want you to know why. There is only sarcasm, twisted facts and attempts at comedy as we work through tough budget times. What has happened to professionalism and integrity in the North Coast News?

heading, on Page 90: “OPERATIONS TEMPORARYLY (sic) SUSPENDED DUE TO DIMINISHING REVENUES”

Recommended 2010 budget