Lifeguards needed, city raises wages

Summer could look a little different for locals hoping to cool off poolside in Flandreau.
We are in dire need of lifeguards, Council, if we dont get lifeguards, be prepared to get called, Mayor Dan Sutton joked this past week.
But the shortage of lifeguards is no laughing matter.
City Finance Officer Lori Kneebone shared during the councils most recent meeting that a review of area wages showed Flandreaus pay for lifeguards was well below average compared to similarly sized communities and facilities.
A new wage scale is now in place in the hopes of drawing more interest. So far, only eight people have applied but at least 14 are needed to safely open the pool.
First year lifeguards will be paid $14.07 an hour with about a 40 per hour increase for each year of service they have done.
Of the eight lifeguards that we have right now, many of them are active in sports and different things so they are not committed to working every single day, so the more people we can draw from the better it will be for everyone, said Kneebone.
The wage update puts Flandreau at average or above-average pay for seasonal lifeguards, she said. Kneebone noted that getting the word out will be key to bringing more youth on board. Without more hires, the city may need to reduce pool hours this summer.
This challenge isnt unique to Flandreau. Community pools across the U.S. continue to face difficulties recruiting and retaining lifeguards a problem that worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic and reportedly has led to limited hours or closures at many facilities nationwide.
If you or someone you know is interested in working as a lifeguard at the Flandreau Aquatic Center, please contact the city office or pool manager Myranda Wester.
Meanwhile in Colman, things are looking more hopeful. The city reports a full staff is likely if all returning guards from last year come back. Four applications from returning guards are already in, and five more individuals are taking certification courses. That would bring the total to nine lifeguards.
Base pay in Colman is $12 an hour, with an additional 25 cents for each year of experience with the city.
Finance Officer Maria Groos said that she had just gotten a call from another nearby community wondering what their pay scale was early Monday, so the issue appears relevant for everyone right now. The deadline to apply for a pool position in Colman is April 30th.
Also at the most recent Flandreau City Council meeting:
Council approved the Moody County Dispatch agreement, which includes an annual payment of $63,313.31 from the city toward 911 services provided by the county.
A request was made for the city to help fund a new scoreboard at City Park. More on where the scoreboard will go and why local baseball groups say its needed in next weeks edition.