Trustees unanimously endorse regional childcare ballot measure, authorize mayor to sign resolution

The Carbondale Board of Trustees voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to sign a resolution endorsing the Strong Start Bright Future regional ballot initiative (identified in the public presentation as ballot question 7A) to create a regional special district and an associated revenue measure to expand access to early‑childhood care.

Heather Henry, who identified herself as "vice president of housing and childcare at Aspen 1," and Rob Stein, a former school superintendent and volunteer with the campaign, presented the proposal and asked trustees for a formal municipal endorsement and for individual endorsements. Presenters described the effort as a regional initiative to create a taxing district covering Aspen to Parachute that would fund tuition subsidies for families, grants for providers to increase capacity, navigation services to help parents access care, a cap on administration and evaluation (presenters suggested a 5 percent administrative cap), and governance by a five‑member board chosen from director districts across the region.

Presenters said the coalition determined, after legal advice, that the ballot question would include the district creation and the tax in a single ballot question and that electors would also elect district directors on the same ballot. They described a proposed sales‑tax approach with exclusions for groceries, prescription drugs, gasoline and other necessities to limit the burden on households.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about the ballot mechanics, the grant and program design, and workforce issues in early‑childcare. A presenter said money could be used to support workforce compensation and to expand provider capacity and that the program design anticipates funding grants to providers as well as direct tuition subsidies to families. Trustees discussed timing and ballot crowding; staff cautioned that other items on the ballot could make voter decisions more complex.

Trustee Jess moved to authorize the mayor to sign a resolution expressing the board's unanimous endorsement of the measure; Trustee Erica seconded the motion. Trustees approved the motion by a voice vote; the mayor was authorized to sign the resolution on the board's behalf. Presenters asked community members to visit strongstartbrightfuture.com to sign individual endorsements and to learn more.

The endorsement recorded at the meeting is a municipal expression of support and not an appropriation of funds. The ballot measure, if approved by voters, would create a regional taxing district and fund design and operational grants described during the presentation; the transcript shows trustees expressing support and asking for further information and public outreach in coming weeks.