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Commission approves addendum to speed ARPA childcare payments routed through United Way
Summary
Reno County commissioners approved an addendum to the grant agreement with United Way of Reno County to allow the county to disburse ARPA childcare funds to United Way on a fronted basis (not reimbursement), intended to ease cash-flow constraints for childcare startup projects.
The Reno County Commission on Aug. 27 approved an addendum to the county's grant agreement with the United Way of Reno County to change how American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) childcare funds are distributed to local providers.
Randy (county staff) and others explained the change is procedural: the funds were already budgeted for childcare, but the original agreement required United Way to front payments and submit reimbursement requests, which created timing and cash-flow pressure for small providers. The approved addendum lets the county transfer federally restricted ARPA funds to United Way in advance for approved purposes rather than only reimbursing expenditures.
"This money, we are not asking for a different intended purpose. We are asking for the same purpose that has been intentioned for years now. The different funding mechanism or mechanism to be able to get it to us, that's what we're asking for today," said Abby Stockerbrand, a member of the Kids Collective and the Reno County Child Care Task Force. She and Lacey Mills described the change as necessary to reduce barriers for startups and enable providers to meet payroll and operating costs without long reimbursement delays.
Commissioner discussion flagged concerns about long-term sustainability and whether a revolving fund mechanism had been established. Stockerbrand and other presenters said the Kids Collective aims to be a childcare management organization that will pursue sustainability, partner with technical advisers and maintain due diligence on expenditures.
The commission voted by roll call to approve the second addendum to allow non-reimbursement distribution (the motion was moved and seconded; Commissioners Parks, Vincent, Winger and Hurst voted yes). Staff noted this does not change allocations or add local funds; it only changes the timing and mechanism of disbursement and will retain audit documentation.
Ending: The addendum is intended to speed access to already-approved federal childcare funds and relieve short-term cash-flow constraints for providers; county staff and United Way will continue reporting to auditors on receipts and expenditures.
