After much discussion, and some confusion, Carbon County officials have decided to try to entice its Mauch Chunk Lake Park lifeguards to work weekends with higher weekend wages.

On Thursday, the Carbon County Salary Board voted to increase the weekend rates for 12 lifeguard positions from $13.65 to $17.05 per hour; as well as one lifeguard supervisor weekend rate from $16 to $19.98 per hour. The weekday rates remain the original rates.

Before voting, the board discussed the need for the increases as a way to get more lifeguards. The county has open positions for lifeguards and the swimming season at the lake opens on May 27. It needs approximately four lifeguards on any given day to open the three beaches fully at the lake.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein voiced some concern over the original proposed raises, which would have increased the weekend rates to $20.48 and $24 per hour respectively, and made alternate motions for the above rates. His concern was if the funds were in the budget.

Commissioner Rocky Ahner pointed out that if the county does not have lifeguards available on any given day, the county cannot charge and swimming becomes swim at your own risk. This means that the county could lose anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000 because of this.

He also pointed out that every pool and lake is having problems getting lifeguards.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich addressed Nothstein’s concern, noting that the salaries would amount to about $8,476.80 or roughly $282 a day on weekends. This would be covered with the revenue for charging an entry fee to swim.

“It’s well worth the investment,” he said, adding that maybe the county should also add that any eligible county employee should be able to also be a lifeguard on weekends at the higher rates if they get certified.

Lukasevich also pointed out that last year, of the 100 swimming days at the lake, the county was not able to charge on 29 of those days - 12 of them being on a weekend - because of the lack of lifeguards.

County controller Mark Sverchek, who also sits on the salary board, raised his concerns over the county liability on swim at your own risk days, as well as weighing the financial commitment to retain lifeguards.

He agreed that an increase is needed.

The board then settled on a middle ground for raises with the hopes that it will provide enough of an incentive to attract a few more certified individuals. As of Thursday, there were seven possible hires going the process.

For more information on becoming a lifeguard, visit https://www.carboncountypa.gov/services/employment_opportunities and click on “Job Listings.”