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Ocean View unveils proposed FY26 budget, including $6.3 million operating plan and personnel pay adjustments
Summary
The Ocean View Town Council reviewed a proposed FY26 operating budget of $6.3 million and a $1.6 million five‑year capital program, which includes a proposed two‑cent tax-rate adjustment, one‑time use of fund balance and targeted pay increases for sworn officers.
Ocean View’s town council reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget, which the draft documents put at $6.3 million and a five‑year capital improvement program at $1.6 million. The proposal includes a planned use of $669,500 from the town’s unassigned fund balance for one‑time items such as a police total‑compensation study and legal and risk analysis related to the town’s service area.
Carol, the staff presenter, said the draft assumes a two‑cent increase in the tax rate as recommended earlier, and that the budget materials list the estimated revenue value of one cent on the tax dollar in the draft documents. She said the town will present the full PFM treatment and recommendations ahead of a Feb. 24–25 workshop to allow the public and council time to review the proposed changes.
The budget as presented includes a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees, and a $3,000 salary adjustment for sworn officers intended to move starting pay toward $68,000; the draft lists seven officers receiving step promotions. Health insurance costs were budgeted to rise by 4.1% and other insurances by about 5%. The plan also assumes a $115,000 anticipated donation to offset the police department’s annual 'cops and goblins' event, and it budgets for continuing part‑time and seasonal positions (a seasonal part‑time code enforcement officer, a seasonal paid volunteer for the police department, a part‑time accreditation manager, and two maintenance positions proposed to be made permanent).
Carol told the council the budget document reflects adjustments to fees, rental‑receipt tax and transfer‑tax projections tied to recent and anticipated development, such as the approved Shore Vista/’Sh Vista’ residential community and activity in the Silverwoods project area. She said questions from the mayor were being tracked and that staff would circulate responses to council members before the workshop.
The council did not vote to adopt the budget at the meeting; the draft will be discussed in detail during the scheduled workshop and returned to the council for further consideration.
