Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Nags Head approves lifeguard pay increase, budget amendment and seasonal housing policy
Loading...
Summary
The Board approved a modest base pay raise for lifeguards, a related budget amendment and a board policy plus a management agreement for town-owned seasonal housing that will house ocean rescue staff for the coming seasons.
The Nags Head Board of Commissioners approved changes to ocean rescue staffing compensation and housing on Jan. 7, voting to raise lifeguard base pay, adopt a budget amendment and approve a policy and property management agreement for newly built seasonal housing.
Ocean Rescue Captain Chad Moats (S16) proposed raising base pay from $20.00 to $20.50 an hour and doubling returning‑staff longevity increments to $0.50 per year up to five years and increasing the lifeguard‑to‑supervisor step to $2.50. He said the revisions are intended to keep the town competitive with nearby agencies and that the total season‑level impact is roughly $33,811 over two fiscal years, with a current‑year impact of about $10,369.
“I've got I'm gonna break this down into two items,” Chad said in presenting the recommendations, calling the changes “kinda keep[ing] pace with other local agencies.” The board approved the pay‑plan motion by voice vote and then approved a budget amendment, amended on the floor to include applicable payroll taxes.
Separately, staff presented a board policy for seasonal employee housing at a duplex the town built adjacent to the community care clinic at 425 West Health Center Drive. The units include two four‑bedroom apartments designed to house up to 16 seasonal employees (two per bedroom) with a $500 monthly rent and a four‑month minimum stay; utilities are included. Staff proposed Harold and Associates to manage the property for a management fee (described in the packet as 12% of rents), handling leases, check‑in/out and day‑to‑day tenant issues. The board adopted the housing policy and approved the management agreement by voice votes.
Why it matters: The combined actions are intended to improve recruitment and retention of seasonal ocean rescue staff by offering higher pay and stable, affordable housing close to work. Staff told the board a second housing project is planned so capacity could reach up to 32 guards by summer 2027.
Board direction and follow up: staff will implement the pay changes, post the housing program and finalize the management arrangements; the town will track seasonal costs against budget projections. The motions were approved by voice vote; transcript records do not include a roll‑call tally.
