Panama City Beach City Council members have finally decided to take additional steps to protect visitors from dangerous rip currents.

They're set to discuss the creation of a lifeguard program during tomorrow's city council meeting. The move comes in the wake of 10 visitor drownings over the course of this summer's tourist season, but city officials still aren't sure how to pay for the program.

The council will discuss ordinance 1132 at Tuesday's council meeting.

Gayle Oberst, Panama City Beach Mayor, said, "It's an ordinance that will set the parameters for what the qualifications for lifeguard. Also, it will require businesses to put additional signage behind their property."

Mayor Oberst says it's the next step to getting lifeguards.

"The city has committed to putting lifeguards on the city owned pier and beach, and the county has committed to do the same, so we're working toward that. This is just qualifying what a lifeguard is, what kind of training they must have and setting up a program."

Planning is one thing. Paying for it is an entirely different matter. The city's legal council, attorney Doug Sale, says the city can't use two potential funding sources.

"He gave us the legal opinion that the TDC cannot fund lifeguards, and the city cannot fund lifeguards from the CRA, so we'll have to find another stream of revenue. The city has budgeted already for the lifeguards at the city pier."

City Councilman Ken Nelson has been critical of his colleagues for avoiding a lifeguard program in the past. Although he didn't give specifics, Nelson believes he has a plan that could work.

Ken Nelson said, "Speaking to legal counsel this morning there is a possibility of a way to fund lifeguards on the beach without costing the city any money, so I'm going to bring the idea to the council whenever it comes up tomorrow afternoon."

When the council first discussed ordinance 1132 last month, there was some hope of hiring some lifeguards by Labor Day weekend.

"We will not be able to put lifeguards on the beach this year. Next spring is what I'm shooting, and we can begin next season with lifeguards, and the new lifeguard program."

The Panama City Beach council meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 2:00 at the Panama City Beach City Hall.