To fund lifeguard services, Brevard County will use tourism tax

Thursday, July 27, 2023

As Brevard County is keen to build up lifeguard services, adding up towers and raising more hires in the impending budget year, the Board of County Commissioners will unravel options as well for paying those services on Space Coast beaches that are not included.

One option: tourist development tax of Brevard County, a 5% tax on short-term rentals and hotels. Then, that wealth is distributed behind promoting the Space Coast as a tourist hotspot, re-nourishment projects of the beach, financial assistance for cultural events and other projects related to tourism. However, those finances can be put behind the growth and expansion of lifeguard towers is a matter that is still undecided.

Jason Steele, the recently selected Commissioner proposed the idea on Tuesday morning, getting verbal support from colleagues John Tobia, Rita Pritchett and Tom Goodson.

Steele, said once staff gave them the report, they’d decide where exactly the lifeguard stands would go and whether they can make use of the tourism funds on this. This is one of the most adored things that Brevard County needs. Tourism is getting hampered with drowning incidents. They need more money for it.

Between November of 2022 and March 2023, in Brevard County, Ocean Rescue reported over 390 rip current rescues with no drowning cases at the beaches which are lifeguard-protected.

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