Rehoboth Beach considers finishing city hall

Nearly six years after opening, Rehoboth Beach officials appear determined to finish fitting out city hall.

Rehoboth opened its $20 million city hall in fall 2017, but several third-floor rooms have not been completed.

In advance of fiscal year 2024, which begins April 1, commissioners and city administration have conducted three budget meetings since mid-January. During the meeting Feb. 17, Assistant City Manager Evan Miller said about $160,000 was added to the administration department’s budget to finish fitting out the third floor and create office space on the first floor for the assistant city manager.

Miller said EDiS, the contractor that oversaw the building’s construction, said the third-floor spaces were intended to be offices, maybe a conference room and some storage.

Commissioner Edward Chrzanowski said part of the work should include work space for commissioners and a space for the city’s communications specialist, who currently works in a city-owned building off Lake Avenue. That person shouldn’t be in that building by themselves, and it should be a revenue generator for the city, he said.

Commissioner Toni Sharp wasn’t against fitting out the third floor, but she said she didn’t like how the city was going to have to pay more now to get it done compared to what it would have cost years ago. There’s a problem with delays that continue to cost the city money, she said.

The costs for the project will probably go up from the $160,000, as City Manager Laurence Christian said that amount did not include furniture for the space.

Sprucing up the Bandstand

For the past 60 years, Rehoboth has offered entertainment at the Bandstand on weekend nights. Corey Groll, Bandstand program director, said costs are going up and the structure needs work, which is why he’s proposing a $25,000 increase in his budget to $125,000 for performers, and a $25,000 increase to $75,000 for structural repairs.

The structure has served the city well, but it’s aging, said Groll.

Additionally, Groll is budgeting $45,000 for a new sound system, which he said should last five to seven years. Having a new, working sound system is key to the success of the Bandstand’s programs, he said.

Groll also introduced the idea of selling Bandstand-related merchandise. 

Groll said there’s a local vendor who will have offerings available online and can print one of those items at a time. If any item is sold, the city gets 15% of the profit and keeps control of the copyright.

The public has been asking for this, he said.

Police, lifeguards housing

Looking to help summer police cadets and beach patrol lifeguards manage costs, those two departments have budgeted about $70,000 for housing allowances – $18,000 for police, $50,000 for beach patrol.

Police Chief Keith Banks, who oversees both departments, said there is no money given to the staff member. Instead, he said, individuals who agree to the terms of the arrangement provide the name of the Realtor they’re working with and the city gives that Realtor money directly.

Banks said the police are budgeting for 26 cadets this summer, while Rehoboth Beach Patrol Capt. Jeff Giles said the beach patrol is looking for 70 staff members.

Police are also budgeting about $215,000 for three new police vehicles and an additional $63,000 to fit out the new cars.

The beach patrol is budgeting for a $100,000 increase in salaries this summer. Giles said there are two main reasons for the increase – returning staff get paid more and there’s been a 50-cent-per-hour increase for rookies, from $16 to $16.50.

Additionally, the beach patrol is looking for a personal watercraft to be stored at its headquarters. Giles said among the reasons for this request is that the organization that runs the annual beach olympics has asked for there to be one.

Overall, city administration has proposed about a $35.7 million budget, a 17% increase over current year. The budget includes a 3% raise to city employees. The next budget meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m., Monday, March 6, with approval during the commissioner meeting Friday, March 17.