Brevard County's Ocean Rescue saved 14 swimmers from rip currents and 10 others from a capsized boat in the Indian River Lagoon during Memorial Day weekend. The rescues came as the county struggles with lifeguard vacancies and calls for expanded beach coverage. County Commissioner Thad Altman said increasing lifeguard staffing would require a significant budget boost, but he supports it for safety reasons. "I think it’s important that we provide as much safety as possible," Altman told WKMG reporter James Sparvero. The current Ocean Rescue budget for fiscal year 2026 is $3,770,492, with $1,566,393 coming from the Tourism Development Office (TDO). Municipalities like Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, and Cocoa Beach contribute smaller amounts. A few years ago, the county pushed for those towns to pay more, but the effort stalled. With lifeguard shortages persisting, some are asking if it's time to revisit that approach. The debate centers on where the money would come from. While TDO funds are tied to tourism revenue, local governments argue that beach safety should be a shared responsibility. Residents are being asked to weigh in on whether Space Coast municipalities should increase their financial support for lifeguards. Comments can be submitted via a QR code in the print edition or online at floridatoday.com. Submissions must include the commenter's full name and city of residence to be published. The question highlights a growing tension between safety needs and funding realities as the county prepares for peak summer season.