Ojai City Council approves community aquatics program with $25 lifeguard pay and $5 entry fee

Ojai City Council on June 2 approved a community aquatics program to operate at Nordof High School, adopting a resolution to amend the salary schedule to set lifeguard pay at $25 per hour and authorizing a $5 standard admission fee (two and under free), a $2 income-qualified reduced rate and a $5,000 waiver fund.

City staff (Christie) said the program responds to council direction from Feb. 24 and addresses four items: the lifeguard salary adjustment effective June 3 if approved; the entry fee and waiver fund; an operating schedule that balances weekday and weekend hours; and a completed facilities-use agreement with the Ojai Unified School District. Staff estimated first-year costs of about $62,200, with admission revenue offsetting expenses.

"We did market analysis — we were under market — so the recommended rate is $25 per hour," Christie said, explaining the flat rate is intended to reflect consistent duties, support internal equity and position the city competitively in the local labor market. Staff said two certified lifeguards were on board and recruiting would continue, with a projected start in the third week of June if hiring proceeds on schedule.

Council members pressed staff on operational details including how many lifeguards are required for safe coverage. Staff said three lifeguards would be needed at full capacity (city staff cited a full-capacity figure of 120 people), and councilmembers discussed maintaining backups so the program could run reliably; some members said starting with four or five lifeguards would be acceptable while building to a larger roster.

The facilities-use agreement with the Ojai Unified School District, which staff said was reviewed by the city attorney, assigns responsibility for utilities, maintenance and permits to the district, while the city will manage daily operations and staffing. Staff also proposed data collection and an early-season attendance report to inform any changes to hours or pricing.

Public commenters were broadly supportive. Maline Alcorta, an Ojai resident and parent, said: "I'm super duper excited to have access to a beautiful aquatic facility," and asked whether lap lanes would be provided; staff replied lap and open swim are proposed but lane availability may be limited by the district's water polo schedule. A commenter concerned about regional cost-sharing urged the council to seek county contributions so city taxpayers do not shoulder the cost for non-residents.

Councilmember Rule moved to adopt the salary schedule amendment, the entry fee and waiver allocation, the proposed hours, and to receive and file the facilities agreement with OSD; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote of councilmembers recorded as yes.

Council members directed staff to monitor attendance and return with a progress update after the initial summer operating period. The council also discussed future items to explore — including family or monthly memberships and outreach strategies to recruit experienced lifeguards — and formation of an aquatics ad hoc committee to work with staff and the Parks & Recreation Commission.

Next steps: staff will implement the salary amendment if approved, launch recruitment and open the program when minimum safe staffing is met, and report back on attendance and any recommended schedule or fee adjustments.