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Reason
Reason
Sophia Mandt

In Just 1 Year, 134 Lifeguards Cost Los Angeles Taxpayers $70 Million

Summertime means hitting the beach and enjoying the open ocean. For taxpayers in Los Angeles County, these activities incur a substantial financial cost. 

Recent reporting from Open the Books, a watchdog group, found that total compensation for 134 of the county's 1,500 lifeguards reached $70.8 million in 2024. Of this total, 34 earned $300,000 or more in their compensation package. Lifeguard Chief Fernando Boiteux was the top earner, receiving $523,351 in total compensation.

These numbers are a significant increase from 2021, when Open the Books "found 98 lifeguards earned at least $200,000 including benefits." 

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