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San Marcos council approves outsourcing of aquatics services to contractor
Summary
On April 8 the City Council voted to move city-run aquatics programming to a contractor model to avoid last-minute cancellations caused by lifeguard shortages; the contract raises costs slightly but staff said it would offer higher hourly pay and more hours for guards and preserve the city's scholarship program.
The San Marcos City Council voted April 8 to transition its aquatics programs from in-house delivery to a contractor model and authorized the city manager to appropriate funds in the fiscal year 2025-26 operating budget for the change.
Council members and staff said the move was aimed at preventing last-minute class cancellations that occurred last summer after persistent lifeguard shortages left pools understaffed. Michelle (Parks and Recreation staff) told the council the contractor has a larger pool of certified staff and that the contract will allow the city to open pools on time this summer. "This opportunity actually allows our employees to earn a higher hourly wage," Michelle said, adding the contract removes the city's 999-hour part-time limit so some employees could work more hours if they choose.
The change drew several speakers during the consent-calendar public comment period who urged the council to preserve community access and staff pay. Javier Rabago, a head lifeguard, described the department's role in training future leaders and said, "Look at the people. Look at what you've built and who you've built." Longtime residents also warned about potential price and hours changes: "I do not feel that the money we voted to raise should be allocated to private companies to come in and run our programs," Karen Peterson said, referring to a recent local tax measure.
Council and staff answered audience questions about cost, staffing and access. Council member Musgrove emphasized that the city would remain the owner and operator of the facilities and that only the service delivery would be contracted: "It's simply the service that we're privatizing. The pool still belongs to the community." Staff said the contract is "slightly more expensive," with one council member noting an incremental difference of about $3,000 in the operating budget during discussion, but maintained it offers more reliable service delivery.
Officials also confirmed existing fee-waiver and scholarship policies will remain in place after the contract. When Council member Nunez asked whether financial assistance for low-income residents would continue, Michelle replied that because the program remains a City of San Marcos program "the existing scholarship program that's in effect will remain in effect." The city plans to keep maintenance and facility ownership under public works oversight; the contractor would supply frontline lifeguard and instructional staff.
Council members said they will monitor the contract and review service delivery after implementation. Staff described a roughly six- to seven-week ramp-up period for the contractor to assume operations, and said the contractor's hiring network could provide more staffing stability.
The council moved to approve the item during the consent calendar. The motion passed with no recorded no votes.
Council members asked staff to publish sign-up and scheduling information promptly and to collect community feedback once the contractor begins operations.
