Lycoming County approves financing plan to expand FireTree Place childcare with $615,460 bond increase

Williamsport, Pa. — The Lycoming County Board of Commissioners on June 19 approved a resolution required by Internal Revenue Code section 147(f) that clears the way for the Lycoming County Authority to amend existing tax-exempt bond documents so FireTree Place can borrow an additional $615,460 for an ongoing childcare expansion.

Dan Pepperman, representing the Lycoming County Authority, told commissioners the authority issued tax-exempt bonds in 2024 on behalf of FireTree Place and that the borrower has asked to increase financing to cover unanticipated costs. "They have come back to the authority and asked to increase the amount of financing by $615,460," Pepperman said.

The additional money will not create new county debt, the resolution states. The board adopted Resolution of the Board of Commissioners No. 2025-13 after a public hearing and approved the plan of finance "provided that the note shall not constitute a debt or obligation of the County of Lycoming and does not obligate the taxing power of the County of Lycoming in any way." The action satisfied the public-approval requirement in section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code for qualified tax-exempt private activity financings.

Billy Dayton, chief executive officer of FireTree Place, described why the extra financing is needed: "We ran into issues with stormwater management ... We ended up costing more than what was originally projected, and that's the majority of what that money is gonna be used for." Dayton said the funds will pay for stormwater-management design and construction — including an underground water basin — and for sprinkler systems in the new childcare wing.

Dayton said construction crews began work on phase one of the expansion the day before the meeting. When asked about timing, he said the contractor is "optimistic that it will be operational by February of 2026," while acknowledging the date could slip.

Commissioners and commenters on the record praised the project as addressing a local childcare shortage. One commissioner (unnamed in the record) said, "FireTree is one of the shining lights of places where kids can go. It's safe. It's educational. It is everything that you would need it to be," and urged the county to support the expansion.

The record indicates the original tax-exempt financing for the project was issued in 2024 and had funded construction, equipment and related costs. Pepperman explained the requested change would be handled as an amendment to existing bond documents rather than a separate new issuance. The county solicitor had prepared the proposed resolution and the public hearing required under IRC section 147(f) was held at the June 19 meeting.

After public comment and the hearing, a commissioner moved to adopt the resolution and a second was recorded; the board voted in favor by voice and the resolution was adopted.

Next steps in the record: the Lycoming County Authority and FireTree Place will proceed with amending the existing bond documents to add the $615,460, and the borrower will work with its lender and counsel to finalize the reissuance paperwork. The county resolution makes explicit that the amended note will not be an obligation of Lycoming County.