COCOA BEACH, Fla. – An argument between local governments over who pays what share of the costs to put lifeguards on beaches could mean fewer eyes on the water during the rest of spring break and the summer.
Brevard County pays nearly all lifeguard costs, but now it wants beach cities Cocoa Beach, Indialantic and Melbourne Beach to pay for half.
The proposal at a county budget workshop in February was so unpopular with Cocoa Beach the city voted not to pay the county a dime.
That means, starting Saturday, the county said extra, seasonal lifeguards won’t be on some beaches throughout the busiest months of the year.
County commissioner John Tobia said Cocoa Beach brings in more than $3 million a year in parking so the city should be able to afford $750,000 to pay for lifeguards.
Cocoa Beach mayor Keith Capizzi told News 6 reporter James Sparvero the city cannot afford to pay half.
“Parking isn’t a drop in the bucket compared to the cost we have to incur for tourists,” Capizzi said. “Forty-six percent of all of our emergency calls are for non-residents which equates to about $5.6 million spent on public safety for non-residents.”
Talks to add more lifeguards started after the commission said 14 people drowned on Brevard County beaches last year.
The county said on beaches where there were lifeguards, 450 lives were saved.
“That was extremely telling that the lifeguards were working hard, were very effective. Obviously, lifeguards can’t work at midnight, but when they were working, they were highly effective,” Tobia said.
Capizzi said it should be the county’s responsibility to pay for lifeguards.
“I absolutely do not want anyone to die or drown because of this between us, but it is the ultimate responsibility of the county to provide lifesaving services,” he said. We will still have lifeguards on duty. We just won’t have as many on duty.”
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