Summit County to extend childcare scholarship support through year’s end while long‑term funding is discussed

County staff updated the council Oct. 8 on two childcare programs: a community childcare scholarship program administered by Upwards and a county employee dependent‑care subsidy program. The council had earlier approved a pilot scholarship in 2024 and allocated $300,000 in the 2025 budget to continue the program; staff reported those funds will run out in October and requested authority to use available funds to cover scholarships for currently enrolled families for November and December 2025.

Staff said the community scholarship program currently enrolls 23 families (26 children) and maintains a wait list of 80 people (67 resident families and 13 workforce families). Enrolled children include infants, toddlers and preschoolers; 11 providers are participating. Staff reported the program follows Park City’s enrollment criteria and is income‑based (resident households must earn no more than 100% area median income to be eligible), and Upwards confirmed eligibility is determined using gross household income and that the program caps scholarship payments to a maximum monthly payment per child (staff said the county caps reimbursement at $1,700 monthly per child; parents pay a family contribution of about 10% of income and other subsidies such as the state Department of Workforce Services are counted).

On employee programs, staff described the county’s dollar‑for‑dollar match of employee dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and partnership agreements with local providers that give county employees priority and waived registration. Staff noted the federal dependent care FSA maximum had previously been $5,000 but was increased (staff cited a new $7,500 limit); county match costs would increase accordingly if the council continues dollar‑for‑dollar matching.

Council members and staff discussed possible funding sources, employer incentives and coordination with state and federal programs. Staff reported advocacy work with state legislators to steer employer tax credits and the enhanced federal employer tax credit toward intermediaries that can help small employers claim the credits (the county and local partners have proposed a state role as a facilitator or intermediary). Councilmembers agreed, given available funds, to continue the community scholarship for the remainder of 2025 and to evaluate funding and program details during the 2026 budget process; staff will follow up with additional data requested by councilmembers about scholarship distribution and program impacts.

What happens next: County staff said they will use available funds to cover currently enrolled families through December 2025 and will return with more detailed budget proposals and requested data during the 2026 budget review.