The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution Dec. 6 to pay $22 million and transfer ownership of some coastline property to the City of Laguna Beach.
The 1.2-mile strip of coastline in question includes Aliso, Camel Point, Laguna Royale, Table Rock, Thousand Steps, and West Street beaches, all within the city’s limits.
The transfer means all access points, amenities, parking lots and coastal areas will soon be under the city’s control.
Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said the change was a “win-win” for both the county and city.
“I know $22 million seems like a lot for the transfer,” Barlett said. “But the county will actually break even in six to eight years and will save a substantial amount of money down the road that we can then invest in our other parks projects.”
The funds will support the city’s costs of owning and maintaining the beaches over the next 20 years, Assistant City Manager Ken Domer told The Epoch Times in an email.
He also said having local control of the beaches would allow the city to provide better overall service, especially during an emergency.
Negotiations over the transfer between Laguna Beach and the county’s real estate and parks departments started in September.
The areas in question have been within the city’s limits since Laguna Beach annexed South Laguna Beach in 1987. However the county has continued to hold ownership over the 1.2-mile property, including funding lifeguards, park rangers, security, maintenance, and parking services.
According to current county data, lifeguards and security for the beaches are $2.1 million annually but will rise to $2.5 million in 2023.
According to the city, they need to hire additional Marine Safety staff and purchase necessary equipment and supplies to be prepared for the expected start date of operational control on March 1, 2023.
The City of Laguna Beach will take control of the areas by the end of February of next year.
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