South Iowa News

The Stuart City Council heard from Sarah Chelle Young, manager of the Stuart Aquatic Center, about wages for pool workers during their April 10 meeting.

The council approved an increase in wages for pool workers, according to a video of the meeting posted to the council’s YouTube page.

In March, Young learned only four of her 16 lifeguards planned to return due to low wages. She conducted a wage survey of surrounding communities and found first-year lifeguards made between $9 and $12.50 per hour.

Young proposed setting the rate at $10.50 with 25-cent raises for each year of experience. Concession workers would start at $8 with a 25-cent increase for each year of experience. She also noted that young students can often get higher wages at grocery stores and fast-food locations, so finding and hiring qualified lifeguards can be difficult.

“I can do it with a staff of 10 to 12, but we're going to be working and that's with me lifeguarding and two of my assistant managers have their lifeguard verification too,” Young said. “So, we would have to step up and be lifeguards as well. We need to see new kids come up as well.”

The council suggested bumping the lowest lifeguard wage rate to $11 per hour. This, they believe, would attract students to stay on for multiple summers, according to comments in the video. Young and her two assistant managers also created a master schedule for the summer to ensure all shifts are covered.

During the meeting, Young also provided the council with an update on new lifeguard certification classes which are scheduled for May 28 and 29. Opening day for the aquatic center is set for May 31.