Minutes 10-01-2024 - Business Meeting

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48 Tina Clark said the income limit for families was given, with a family size age 4 the annual income is $63,000 she said that is the max. Commissioner Hamilton said that she would like to see the families just in Orange County. Nancy Coston said they looked into the employers to see who else was benefiting from the subsidy. She said that for the 10% rule, you could extrapolate that most are $20430,000 due to the fees. Commissioner Fowler asked if half of the parent fee could be paid. Nancy Coston said it could be done but providers will not want to pay to two different entities. She said they are paid directly to the providers and there has to be a lot of paperwork and it will cost as much to figure that out. She said the payments go directly from the portal to the providers. She said all the funds except county funds go through a portal directly from the state to the provider. Vice-Chair Greene said she is the BOCC representative on the DSS Board and they supported option 2 after a long, hard conversation. She said that it would avoid a waiting list. Chair Bedford asked if some flexibility can be added to option 2 to monitor people pulling children out of child care. Nancy Coston said staff can track all of this for them and report. Commissioner Fowler asked if there have been stories from other counties as to how that impacted families. Tina Clark said she was not sure any information was tracked. Commissioner Fowler said she would support option 2. Commissioner Hamilton said this situation is difficult and she understands child care costs are important. She said it makes her think about what else they are not going to be able to do. Chair Bedford asked Travis Myren if there are any updates on the financial audits. Travis Myren said it can be covered by operating surplus for this year, but would be a budget consideration going forward. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said it does not bother her that Orange County would continue to pay these fees when other counties have stopped. She said that she thinks these services will help children not be behind when they go to school and hopes they will be innovative enough to support this. Nancy Coston said she thought more federal funds were coming for child care but those have been tied up for months. She said that the General Assembly said they would do something, but have not. Commissioner McKee said he supports Option 2. A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Chair Bedford, to approve Option 2. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she supports option 3. Commissioner Richards asked if the situation can be monitored. Travis Myren said staff will monitor and add funds as needed and keep the Board updated on families that may not be able to keep up with program. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the parent fee is paid weekly or monthly. Nancy Coston said that it varies, and some providers request them weekly and some monthly. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if children could be kicked out of childcare without parent fees paid. Commissioner Hamilton said through monitoring that can be prevented and the Board can decide to do more at a later time.