Board begins planning lifeguard pay, training and point‑of‑sale systems ahead of pool opening

Board members discussed operational and staffing needs for the new pool and splash pad, including lifeguard recruitment timelines, pay rates, certification and point‑of‑sale systems to replace cash admissions.

Staff said earlier guard pay rates were $12.85/hour (noted as the 2022 increase) and that a pool manager historically earned about $17/hour. Members urged earlier recruitment and suggested exploring reimbursement for certification costs if recruits agree to work a set number of hours. Staff reported limited availability of local training sessions and flagged the American Lifeguard Association as an out‑of‑region option; board members asked staff to explore hosting a local training if timing allows once the pool is complete.

The board also discussed the need for a cashless point‑of‑sale system to meet recent auditor guidance and to accurately track pool revenue, and asked staff (Gavin) to research options — including county‑provided modules, third‑party POS like Square, or an add‑on to the city's Tyler Technologies deployment. For concessions, staff suggested modest offerings (soft‑serve dispenser and packaged snacks) and proposed hiring an administrative employee focused on ticketing and concessions separate from certified lifeguards.

Board prioritized finishing decisions on swim‑lesson advertising deadlines, lifeguard pay comparisons with neighboring pools, and entry fees for the new facility; staff will return with comparative pay data and POS cost estimates in February. Quote: "We had increased the guard pay to $12.85 an hour in 2022," a staff member said; the board noted area comparisons will inform any further raises.