Exh 8CAGENDA ITEM #8C
APRIL 9, 2001
STAFF REPORT
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
AGENDA ITEM: Lifeguard Pay Recommendation
DATE: March 23, 2001
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, Chief of Police/DPS
BACKGROUND:
In the past, the lifeguazds in Atlantic Beach have not been included with the other City
employees when cost of living adjustments have been made in October each year. As a
result, the lifeguazd pay scale has reached a point where some of the other agencies in the
area are paying more than Atlantic Beach.
Ponte Vedra's starting pay for fully trained lifeguards is $10/hour, and Haimah Pazk's
starting pay for fully trained lifeguards is $9lhour. The starting lifeguazds in these
agencies are paid at a higher rate than Atlantic Beach senior lifeguards. As a result, staff
is concerned with being able to attract and keep good guards this season.
The last overall increase for Atlantic Beach lifeguazds was in 1997 when the base pay
went to $7.75/hr for trainees and 8.00/hr for fully trained lifeguards. In 1998, the City
Commission awazded an increase to senior guazds (more than two prior years of service),
taking their pay up to $8.48/hr. Since 1998, there have been no increases in lifeguazd pay
scales.
The interlocal agreement with Jacksonville provides a 3% increase each year, based on
the amount that we spent the previous year for lifeguard service. We have not integrated
this increase into lifeguazd pay scales.
It is the staff recommendation that the City Commission approve a pay increase for fully
trained Atlantic Beach lifeguards that would mirror the increases in the interlocal
agreement over the past three (3) yeazs, except for the senior lifeguards who would only
receive 3% increases for two (2) years. This would bring them up to a pay scale that is
more competitive with azea agencies. When the pay and classification study is
completed, the resulting lifeguazd recommendationswill beintegrated into the City pay
plan.
AGENDA ITEM #8C
APRIL 9, 2001
The pay scale, based on the approval ofthis recommendation, will be approximately:
Current Proposed
Lifeguard in Training $7.75 $7.75
Fully Trained $8.00 $8.74
Senior Lifeguazd $8.48 $9.00
Lieutenant $8.96 $9.79
Captain $9.41 $10.28
BUDGET: The pay adjustments recommended in this report can be accommodated
within the existing 2000-2001 budget. The estimated expenses for the season will be
approximately $94,000, consistent with the lifeguard pay budgeted for the current fiscal
yeaz. The actual number of hours is difficult to predict due to weather conditions and the
availability of lifeguards in the late Summer months. However, after estimating the
number of hours "required" for coverage, staff members are confident that the increases
can be accommodated in the existing budget without creating any safety problems on the
beach coverage.
RECOMMENDATIONS: We recommend approving the pay scale presented in this
report for the Atlantic Beach Lifeguards.
It is also recommended that the lifeguards be incorporated into the city pay plan when it
is completed.
ATTACHMENTS: None
REVIEWED BY CITY