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Management and Budget Director Jason Brown confirmed for Commissioner O'Bryan <br />that the estimated costs for a part-time (3 day a week) lifeguard would be $21,000 per year, and <br />did not think it feasible to pull the above-mentioned dollars from Ocean Rescue's budget. <br />Commissioner O'Bryan suggested that shutting the Beach down in the slow season could <br />provide a savings which would allow it to remain guarded during the peak season. <br />Commissioner Wheeler noted that there were sufficient public access lifeguard -controlled <br />beaches in the County, without the Tracking Station Beach. He would have to be shown that <br />there was an extra benefit to having that particular Beach remain open, adding that if not <br />guarded, the Beach should be closed. <br />Dr. Peter Wernicki, Orthopedic Surgeon and Medical Advisor for the U.S. Lifesavings <br />Association, Board Member of the International Lifesaving Federation, and Advisory Board <br />Aquatic Director for the National Red Cross, presented arguments and supporting data to warn <br />Commissioners that eliminating the lifeguards at the Tracking Station Beach might have dire <br />consequences. <br />Vice Chairman Flescher wanted to know how the County intended to secure the Beach <br />facility in the absence of the lifeguards. <br />Administrator Baird described the current scheduling of lifeguards at the County's <br />beaches, noting that the gates are open from sunrise to sunset, even though the lifeguards go off <br />duty at 4:00 p.m. He advised that "Non -Guarded Beach Access" signage would be posted, as is <br />done at some other non -guarded beach access in the County. <br />Vice Chairman Flescher voiced concerns about liability, pointing out that the Tracking <br />Station Beach had previously been guarded for the past twenty-six (26) years. <br />4 <br />September 16, 2009 <br />MG/Final Budget <br />