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Commissioners approve MOU with Ignite Idaho to open childcare at Cascade Community Center; county to fund fence
Summary
The board approved moving forward with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ignite Idaho to operate a childcare/resource center at the Cascade Community Center, set rent at $1,000 per month, and authorized the county to fund the remaining cost of a 450‑foot fence after a $10,000 private donation.
The Valley County Board of Commissioners approved moving forward with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ignite Idaho to operate childcare and related services at the Cascade Community Center and authorized county support for a perimeter fence.
Tracy Jamieson, representing Ignite Idaho, told the board Ignite would like to operate childcare, a resource and assessment center, and collaborate with the Cascade Senior Center. "We would work with them. We'd have one person on their side that met with community partners," Jamieson said, proposing a partnership that could allow the senior center to continue its activities while sharing space.
Commissioners moved to authorize the county to develop and sign an MOU with Ignite Idaho for the next year, approve monthly rent at $1,000 (the amount the county currently receives from the church that previously used the space), and begin work needed for licensing and inspections. The motion passed on a voice vote.
As part of the agreement, Ignite had offered a $10,000 donation toward a perimeter fence (about 450 feet). County staff said the fence will cost about $18,500; commissioners approved using $8,500 from PILT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) to cover the remainder and directed that the county act as the contracting entity for fence installation until the MOU is finalized. A staff member confirmed crews could begin installing the fence immediately under a county contract.
Commissioners and staff described next steps and conditions for move‑in: the MOU must be completed before Ignite can officially take possession (staff aimed for a September 1 target), Central District Health must complete licensing inspections, and the fire department must inspect the building. County buildings and grounds staff will coordinate access for inspectors, and plumbing work (a sink or changing table in a mop sink closet) may be required; staff noted High Mountain Plumbing could complete required plumbing work by early September if needed.
The board also discussed using the site as a community park when childcare is not in session and continuing support for the senior center. Commissioners said any stipend or county funding to the senior center would be handled through the MOU structure and that the senior center board would need to approve participation.
No explicit final lease was signed at the meeting; commissioners directed staff (Arnie and the prosecuting attorney's office) to draft the MOU, coordinate licensing and inspections, and return with any outstanding details.
