The South Haven City Council is inching closer to taking a vote on the return of a lifeguard program to city beaches.

At a meeting this week, council member Mary Hosley forced the issue, proposing a motion requiring the city manager to present to council a draft plan for lifeguards and the cost.

“I would make a motion that the city council direct the city manager to provide the itemized cost for the draft program, including correspondence between the city and Chris Brewster by 5 p.m. on May 7, 2025,” Hosley said.

The city has been working with the United States Lifesaving Association’s Chris Brewster on planning for the return of lifeguards. These talks have been going on since last year, when residents and the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project called on the city to bring lifeguards back after a more than 20-year absence. The concern has been the cost.

At Monday’s meeting, Hosley said she’d been expecting the draft plan and costs from the city manager in time for that gathering, but then there were delays. Council member Wendi Onuki had similar thoughts.

“It’s just really disappointing and frustrating to not be able to move forward one way or another,” Onuki said. “I hope that we have all the information that we need provided to us by this time.”

Onuki said she wanted the information in time for a vote at the council’s next meeting. City Manager Kate Hosier said she could provide the needed information right away.

Mayor Annie Brown balked at allowing Hosley’s addition to the agenda, saying it was last-minute, but with Hosier’s assurance the information can be obtained quickly, the matter proceeded. Still, voting no on Hosley’s motion on the May 7 deadline were Mayor Brown and council members Jeff Arnold and Joe Sleeper. It passed on a four to three vote.