Beach Ownership Plan Is Making Local Waves : Finances: If the county takes over oceanfront sites from the state, cities may face more pressure for help in funding of lifeguard and maintenance services.

South Bay beach-goers probably will not see a difference if the county takes ownership of state beaches in Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, but city officials say the transfer could affect local coffers.

“We’re kind of like a little sailboat out here,” said Redondo Beach City Councilwoman Marilyn White. “They’re gonna do what they’re gonna do, and we’ll see what happens.”

On Tuesday, the County Board of Supervisors agreed to consider the state’s proposal for the county to take over eight Southland beaches, including those in Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. The beach in Hermosa Beach is city-owned.

For years, local, county and state government officials have squabbled over which government agency was responsible for funding beach maintenance and lifeguard services. The county, which has called on South Bay coastal cities to contribute more money for upkeep, now provides the services on 31 miles of beaches.

The supervisors extended a service arrangement with the state through March while they consider the cost of owning the beaches. Either way, city officials will have to decide whether to contribute more money to the county to pay for lifeguard and beach maintenance services.

Service costs at all the state beaches, including Malibu, Topanga, Dan Blocker, Pointe Dume, Las Tunas and Royal Palms, amount to about $4.3 million annually--a burden the county says it cannot shoulder alone.

Responding to county requests for more money earlier this year, the Redondo Beach City Council voted against boosting its contribution from $145,000 to $200,000 a year. Manhattan Beach, which contributes about $220,000 a year from funds collected from parking meters, also refused to contribute additional money. The cities are now negotiating with the county.

Even though the cities have declined to contribute more money, the county has continued to provide services.

“As it currently is, I think the system is great,” said Manhattan Beach Mayor Tim Lilligren. “But it’s short-lived, I suspect.”

If the county takes ownership of the beaches, the state should contribute funds for maintenance and lifeguards, said Manhattan Beach City Councilman Jack Cunningham.

“I think it’s preposterous to expect the county and cities to fund the complete cost of maintaining their beaches,” he said. “People from all over the state use these beaches.”

A takeover of state beaches probably will cost the county more money, officials say. The county also could lose more money that has been provided from the state in past years for capital improvements.

But Supervisor Deane Dana, whose district covers much of the South Bay, argued that ownership of local beaches would give the county greater flexibility.