Florida County, Cities Debate Who Should Pay for Lifeguards

As summer approaches, officials in Brevard County, Fla., which saw an uptick in drownings last year, are debating who should pay for the lifeguards that keep the county's many beaches safe for swimmers. 

Both the counties and cities with beaches fully supported more lifeguards and stations, and they added more year-round staff and expanded areas for seasonal guards. 

“Brevard County certainly prioritizes safety, and I hope the cities do the same,” Brevard County Commissioner John Tobia told WESH. 

Now, however, the county and cities are at odds over who should cover the cost of the lifeguards. 

The county has approved a grant proposal that would use city parking revenue to pay for 50 percent of the cost of the county lifeguards on city beaches. 

“Cocoa Beach this year will get about $3.7 million in parking revenue. To say $3.7 million will not cover $750,000 is a little disingenuous. While Cocoa Beach in their budget has $7,000 for cartoon drawings,” Tobia said.

Indialantic and Melbourne Beach will be impacted, but the biggest impact is with Cocoa Beach, where leadership feels the cost should fall on the county. 

“The TDC, the Tourist Development Council, is promoting safe beaches in Cocoa Beach, come to Cocoa Beach, there’s lifeguards on the beaches. If they are going to promote that, then they should pay for that,” Cocoa Beach city manager Wayne Carragino said.

“All the money that we have it’s not there as a slush fund. It’s not there being wasted. It’s being used on our residents and the beaches as well," Cocoa Beach Mayor Keith Capizzi said.

The cities will have until July 1 to respond to the county's proposal. If they don't agree, the cities will have to come up with their own play for lifeguards. The county has said they'll pay for half the cost of the guards.