Flagler-area leaders agree to keep lifeguard funding under review as county clarifies ILA and costs

County and municipal leaders said they will keep Flagler Beach lifeguard protection in the budget for now while staff clarify interlocal-agreement terms and program costs.

Heidi Petito, Flagler County administrator, told the joint workshop the county’s contribution in the current fiscal year (FY26) is "106,000." She said the ILA has a built-in CPI adjustment and that staff will check whether the agreement has an expiration or renewal window. An unnamed commissioner noted the agreement typically renews every three years.

The discussion revived a topic from an Aug. 27 workshop after questions arose during county budgeting over whether to continue funding lifeguards. An unnamed speaker said the county is not legally required to provide lifeguards, but several participants emphasized the public-safety and liability benefits of funded lifeguard coverage. Dan Martin, Flagler Beach city manager, said construction near the pier affects only a small stretch and "I expect the rest of the beach... will still be guarded," describing guarded areas from 4th Street to Moody Boulevard.

Speakers cited differing estimates for total program costs in earlier calculations (one estimate referenced a range that had been cited previously between about $350,000 and $400,000). County leaders urged an earlier budget-year discussion so funding decisions do not become last-minute cuts. The county suggested staff work with municipal counterparts to examine options — including keeping lifeguard coverage in Flagler Beach, relocating some lifeguard capacity to heavily used unincorporated beaches, or adjusting patrols to better serve county residents.

Officials asked staff to return to a future joint meeting with clearer ILA renewal timing, exact updated cost estimates, and recommended options for budgeting and coverage. No formal motion or vote on program funding was taken at the workshop.