Seven employees of Ocean Shores will earn more than $100,000 this year, including Mayor Dean Bunkers and Fire, Police and Public Works department heads. (Mayor Bunkers donates 10 percent of his earnings back to the city.)
Three other employees are on pace to earn more than $90,000 in 2009.
A total of 29 city workers will earn more than $75,000, based on year-to-date earnings provided by the city to the North Coast News. These figures reflect earnings, and do not include the cost to the city of benefits.
Overtime payments, following layoffs, have bolstered paychecks, particularly in the Fire and Police Departments.
The 11 police officers have earned an average of $70,071 so far in 2009 (high of $88,063, low of $56,953), which annualizes to $84,085. Three are on pace to earn more than $95,000, this year.
The 11 firefighter/paramedics have earned an average of $69,131 so far in 2009 (high of $89,490, low of $52,774), which annualizes to $82,957. Three firefighter/paramedics are on pace to earn more than $98,000 in 2009.

The city’s payroll through the first 10 months of the year was just over $4.9 million. Subtracting around $150,000 for part-timers, the 82 full-time employees have earned an average of well over $50,000 thus far.
Rising salaries and declining revenues have been a devastating combination, for Ocean Shores, where just three years ago, the “ending balance,” commonly referred to as “reserves,” of the city’s General Fund was $2,287,618. The 2010 preliminary budget projects that balance to be down to $131,343, at the end of 2010.

It might be a good idea to consider some numbers, re ambulance fee receipts (“collections”):

2004, $249,403; 2005, $307,899; 2006, $308,453; 2007, $577,523; 2008, $655,507; 2009 (projected) $550,000; 2010, (budgeted) $531,000

Like most city departments, salaries in EMS/Fire have jumped, in recent years: up a whopping 34 percent since 2006 ($1,050,117 budgeted for 2010, $782,167 in 2006). Sounds like a lot, and it is . . . but EMS receipts increased 72 percent ($308,453 to $531,000) in the same time period, even with a “conservative”/low end budget figure. Other city departments, based on numbers in the preliminary budget, had increases of 10-30 percent in salaries, 2006-2010. Yet how many of them are bringing in revenues that put them anywhere near self-sufficiency? Sure, there’s the Water Utility, which has grown a huge surplus . . . thanks to users/residents being charged high rates for poor quality.

There was an all-day “budget study session” on Wednesday, hours after preliminary data showing the EMS levy/”lid lift” was decisively defeated. Previously, in making its preliminary 2010 budget, the City of Ocean Shores assumed the levy would pass. It almost certainly will fail.
At Wednesday’s budget meeting, after department heads gave overviews, finance director Art Wuerth said that estimated revenue for 2010 is $5,479,811. Expenditures are estimated at $6,393,123, leaving a deficit of $913,312.
Wuerth recommended taking $1.3 million out of the city’s budget. Mayor Dean Bunkers told the four council members present (Dave Creighton, Nick Johnson and Mike Patrick were absent) that he agreed with this.
After doing some quick math on average of salaries and benefits per employee, councilman Dick Skewis came to a disturbing conclusion:
“We’re looking at laying off 21 employees, 25 percent of the city’s staff.”

Council is now talking about other alternatives. Garland French is suggesting looking at an EMS Utility, as first brought up by Chief Jim Hodges.

Not present, as the all-day study session begins at the Convention Center: councilmen Dave Creighton, Nick Johnson and Mike Patrick. (Jackie Farra is also not present; council member-to-be John Lynn just walked in the room. Update: Farra just arrived.) Mayor Dean Bunkers‘ introduction went over the city’s organizational chart, noting there are now 82 full-time employees (FTE’s), down from 97 in February of 2008, a decrease of just over 15 percent.

City Council Oct. 26, 2009 meeting star agenda item: “2010 Revenues,” public hearing.
From PDF “Estimated Revenues – 2010 Preliminary Budget,” which assumes the “lid lift” passes

2009 budget taxes $4,243,064
2010 budget taxes $4,262,500

2009 budget licenses and permits $692,400
2010 budget licenses and permits $301,700 (-$390,700) -56.4%

2009 budget total GF revenues $5,474,314
2010 budget total GF revenues $4,844,011   ( -$630,303) -12%

At a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meeting this morning, Ken Mercer and Art Wuerth said hotel/motel tax revenue will be $75,000 to $125,000 less than the 2009 budget projection of $823,661. “We’re in the hole,” said Mercer, the Convention Center director. “Yeah,” confirmed Wuerth, the finance director, “I think we’re in the hole.” More on this in next week’s paper.

The Concerned Citizens of Ocean Shores will meet on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 3:00 PM at the Lions Club.  The public is invited to attend.  Come meet the candidates that are running for city council.  We will have a question and answer period during the meeting.  If you need more information, please call 289-8207.

Daily World story, with headline “Candidates differ on communication”
By Rachel Thomson
OCEAN SHORES — About 75 people showed up at the convention center Tuesday evening to hear City Council candidates answer questions submitted from area businesses and organizations, as well as a few from audience members. They also viewed two opposing presentations on the proposed Emergency Medical Services levy “lid lift.” 
While each candidate had the opportunity to answer multiple questions, the only race with more than one candidate is for Position 5 between incumbent Nick Johnson and Jackie Farra.
Johnson and Farra had opposing views on issues such as the city’s accountability on the cost and progress of city projects, including roadwork and construction, and how the city shares information with citizens.

Or, Missing Inaction?:

Public Works Advisory Committee

Appointed By: Volunteers nominated from a Selection Committee.

Length of Term: 3 years.

Meetings: As needed.

Duties: Advise the Council on the state of the City’s infrastructure including current

and future public works projects.