Rushford Revises Wages

There was little agenda businesses at the April 27 meeting, but the Rushford Council unanimously approved a revised wage scale and structure for Rushford Aquatic Center personnel. This move will continue to aid in drawing in not only good employees at the center, but retaining them for more than one season, which has been a problem for the city.

According to documentation compiled by new city administrator Hayden Stensgard, lifeguards historically receive a 1% increase in base pay each year. In 2026, the starting wage for a seasonal lifeguard was $9.08. Stensgard noted that the difficulty in fulfilling staffing needs resulted in unexpected closures in 2025.

“The goal of this change to the wage scale and structure is to increase the recognized value the lifeguards have for the Rushford community, and hopefully decrease the number of days closed due to short staff. The intent here is also to bring the wages for seasonal Rushford Aquatic Center employees closer to what they may find elsewhere in the community,” read the agenda report.

Local high school youth and collegiate adults make up the bulk of employees. Stensgard added that a lot of the wage consideration was determining the separation in qualifications with some employees doing basic lifeguarding, some with additional certifications to work as swim instructors, and some serving in managerial roles. In regards to managers, he found they were being paid the manager’s wages only while doing scheduling, receiving base lifeguard pay the remainder of the time. Weekend pay versus daytime pay was also a consideration. The goal is to create incentive for employees to work weekends.

The new page scale will see lifeguards get $12 per hour weekdays and $13 on the weekends. Likewise, lifeguards with Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification will receive $13.50 and $14.50, while managers will receive $16.50 and $17.50. Each year a lifeguard returns to work a $.50 increase will be added to their base pay. The city will continue to pay for lifeguard training.

There are currently no concerns for staffing with 15-16 lifeguards, plus an additional five who wish to complete the WSI certification.

“We will keep tabs on what’s going on there. Last year was a little chaotic,” said Mayor Leigh Volkman. “We’ll work on that and monitor that differently.

During reports, it was made known that the city received notification from the Federal Aviation Administration of outstanding American Rescue Plan Act funding in the amount of $22,000 which the city can draw from for approved airport expenses. The funds need to be expended by May 2026, but can include costs from January 2020 and forward. Stensgard is sorting through records of expenditures from the last few years and intends to reach out to airport engineer Mead & Hunt to confirm applying for the funds for certain things will not be “double-dipping” into grant funding.

“I’m trying to get that money for us,” stressed Stensgard. “It’s use it or lose it at this point.”

The city has listed the formers Farmers Win Cooperative office building on Elm Street for sale with Darr Realty. Should offers be received, the city will need to review them in a closed session, before formally accepting or submitting any counter offers.

Stensgard was lauded for his detailed council report. He described his preferred protocol for staff reports saying he wants to “get the whole story on the page.”

“That’s one hell of a detailed report,” said Councilor Jim O’Donnell. “It was very good.”

Volkman later added, “You’ve been doing an excellent job. Issues pop up and you see to get on them right away and follow through. That’s what we like to see and that’s why we hired you. Keep up the good work and keep plugging away.”