Town Manager's Message - May 2026

Hello and welcome to the Town of Ocean View website!  I’m happy that you found your way to this message.    As the Ocean View Town Manager, it provides me an opportunity to share information regarding the activities of our Town!   At time of writing I have proudly served in the role of Town Manager for nearly 7 and a half years.  They have been busy and rewarding years, and I expect the year ahead to be the same.  

The Ocean View Mayor and Council recently approved the FY2027 Operating Budget and Capital Program.  It marked the eight budget that Finance Director Dawn Parks and I, along with our departments and various councils have developed to carry out the services and address the needs of our community.

In recent years we’ve maintained a robust capital program where infrastructure projects have been completed including sidewalk installations for improved walkability, bike lane improvements and connections, stormwater repairs that eliminate localized flooding, road maintenance, as well as park and facility improvements.   Infrastructure maintenance is a prime responsibility for local governments, and one that Ocean View has taken seriously - managing  several funding sources that have helped us to keep up with needs (the Street Repair and Replacement Trust Fund, the Capital Repair Trust Fund, and our planned Equipment Replacement funding).  

Following our Financial forecast evaluation completed in FY2026 we began implementing its recommendations. Our recent budget process included  moving forward with a Capital funding effort that would include borrowing.  Once this borrowing effort is completed, through the issuance of General Obligation Bonds, the funds will support the costs for multiple infrastructure projects already identified, where the debt service required will be paid down using existing monies from our trust funds!  Why is this important - because these infrastructure projects are not getting less costly as the years pass and our success in funding our trusts with Transfer Tax revenues ensures no need for property tax rate increases to satisfy the debt. In essence, we’ll be using the very funds we always use to support infrastructure projects but accomplishing more and spreading out the costs.  Ocean View currently enjoys a AA+ Bond rating. A rating that reflects strong credit quality, and in turn less cost to borrow. General obligation bonds are issued by state or local governments to finance long‑term capital projects. They’re secured by our taxing power, although in our case, as noted above, the debt payments will be funded by already established trust funds in place specifically for capital infrastructure maintenance, and not relied on for the Town’s general operational support. 

We’ve also recently created a NEW Trust Fund! Having sold the Town’s fully outsourced water utility in 2025 the decision to utilize the $1.4 million retained from the sale to create a unique Tax Rate Stabilization Trust Fund in FY2027 continues our efforts to smooth any necessary tax rate increases for our property owners.  I can share that in the last 10 years we’ve  only raised the tax rate by 9.3 cents, inclusive of a 3 cent reduction in FY2023!  The Tax Rate Stabilization Trust Fund will be available for consideration during the FY2028 budget process, if needed, and the use of the funds will contain guardrails, while also being invested, both measures included to help ensure the trusts availability long term! 

Competition for recruiting and maintaining police officers has also become a prime consideration in recent years.  Ocean View has enjoyed a good reputation for safety as a result of the professional community policing program in place by our dedicated department.   Ocean View is also annually ranked among the safest places to live in the state of Delaware.  Maintaining this outcome and retaining the officers we’ve trained is of great importance.    To that end, the FY2027 budget included the move to an identified pay scale for sworn officers, providing both our officers and the community with the assurance that we value each other and supporting our interest to maintain our safe and friendly Town makeup. 

Efforts to maintain our infrastructure, have clean streets, a sense of safety, and well maintained properties, all assist in Ocean View remaining an attractive place to call home or operate a business.   Also supporting that goal is our continued focus on improving our sense of community through popular events in beautiful John West Park! 

One can’t refer to our current park without sharing the excitement we’re feeling about our new park addition – that of the Berzins Nature Park and Trail, soon to be situated at the corner of Muddy Neck and Double Bridges Roads!  At time of writing, the contract for its development was let with an anticipated Fall of 2026 start of construction. The Berzins Nature Park and Trail story is one we’re very proud of – having obtained in excess of $1 million to purchase, design and construct the park!  It will include a raised boardwalk over the wetlands and walking trail among the upland coastal forest habitat, a pavilion with tables, restrooms, and a natural outdoor classroom and meeting space.   Close proximity to the Assawoman Trail expansion under design by the State and several bike and walking paths creates a win-win synergy for our community.   Stay tuned and please join us for the opening celebrations in 2027! 

On behalf of our Council, Boards and Commissions and employees I thank you for your time.   It continues to be my pleasure to serve as Ocean View’s Town Manager.   Rest assured, we’re thinking out of the box, and working to keep Ocean View property values strong, and take steps to maintain our safe, clean and unique community!

All my best!