VENTNOR – Following an audit by the NJ State Comptroller’s Office, the city has introduced an ordinance re-establishing a pension program for members of the Ventnor City Beach Patrol.
Ventnor, a Fourth Class city with a population less than 50,000 located along the New Jersey coast, has had a pension program for lifeguards since 1987. However, the audit recommended modifications of the plan to eliminate deficiencies, Administrator Tom Ciccarone said when Ordinance 2026-002 was introduced at the Jan. 22 Board of Commissioners meeting.
When the comptroller issued his report, he said lifeguard pensions are not an effective way to retain lifeguards. Comptroller Kevin D. Walsh recommended the Legislature repeal the 100-year-old statute that allows pensions for lifeguards, while preserving pensions for vested members.
Walsh found that Ventnor did not deduct the required 4% from lifeguard wages, failed to contribute to the fund, didn’t use the highest three year’s salary to calculate pension amounts, did not disclose the city’s pension liability, and lacked adequate internal controls for tracking the pensions.
The city developed a Corrective Action Plan to eliminate the deficiencies, starting with appointing a new Pension Commission, which includes Beach Patrol Chief David Funk, another lifeguard and two citizen members.
The city negotiated with the Pension Commission to develop revisions to the existing plan, including the average compensation based on the greatest three-year base salary. Pensions totaling 50% of their average compensation will be offered to guards who have 20 years of service and have reached the age of 45. Guards who become disabled on the job are also eligible, and upon death, pensions may be passed on to spouses, children and parents based on family circumstances.
The city is required to contribute 4% of aggregate compensation to the fund. If the fund is depleted, the city will be required to make additional contributions to ensure the pension program can meet its requirements. The city may also suspend contributions if the fund exceeds an adequate amount. Lifeguards must also contribute 4% of their earnings to the fund.
There are several retired lifeguards currently collecting pensions and several who are eligible but have not yet reached retirement age.
The board also introduced Ordinance 2026-004 setting lifeguard salaries for 2026 through 2028.
A year-one guard will earn $18.84 per hour in 2026 and $20.35 in 2028. The salary guide increases for each year of service up to $28.98 per hour in 2028 for a guard with 19 years of service. Instructors, lieutenants, senior lieutenants and captains will earn between $28 per hour in 2026 and $40.29 in 2028, depending on rank. Salary range for the chief is $44.08 per hour in 2026 to $47.22 in 2028. Those with EMT certification will get a $700 stipend for the season, and those who work more than 50 days in a season will get an additional $10 per day stipend, not to exceed $750 for the season. Lifeguards who work Labor Day weekend will be eligible for an additional $30 per day up to $90 for the weekend.
Public hearings and votes on the ordinances will be held 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29.
Copyright Fideri News Network 2026
