Ignite Idaho proposes child-care-first plan for Valley County Community Center; commissioners will draft MOU

Representatives of Ignite Idaho told Valley County commissioners on June 30 they want to rent part of the county Community Center building to open a licensed child-care program, with additional services phased in later. The county will place the item on the agenda next week for formal action and asked staff to draft a memorandum of understanding that will specify responsibilities and costs.

Tracy, speaking for Ignite Idaho, said the organization had consulted local partners and concluded child care should be the first priority. “Well, I've been talking to all of the community partners, both Cascade, Don Lane McCall, and we've realized the lack of childcare ... now we're realizing that the need and high demand for the child care, so we feel like we would put that in first,” she said. Tracy said the facility would operate as Ignite Idaho Early Learning Center and that an in-home child-care provider is willing to close her current operation and bring three experienced staff into the new space.

Commissioners noted the Community Center is shared with senior programming and a commercial kitchen. County staff said the building is about 6,000 square feet total and approximately half — roughly 3,000 square feet — could be used for the child-care operation. The current county tenant pays $5,000 a year (about $425 a month) in rent. Tracy said the group expects to renovate part of the space to meet licensing standards and is pursuing funding: she reported that community donor Jim Lamon has offered $50,000 toward the project.

The board discussed potential grant sources and partnerships including the West Central Mountains Early Learning Collaborative, Central District Health, Central Idaho Counseling, Youth Advocacy Coalition and the Workforce Development Council. A county official said Department of Commerce criteria for some grants emphasize maintaining a senior center; commissioners said staff should examine whether available grants could accommodate the shared-use plan.

Madam Chairwoman Logan said the item should have been listed as an action item at this meeting and directed staff to place it on next week's agenda: “It’s not an action item, which it should have been probably, but, we'll put on for next week, an action item that we can actually vote on this.” County staff said they will draft an MOU, review funding avenues and bring additional details for the commissioners to consider.

No formal lease or rental agreement was approved at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to return with a business plan, draft MOU and that the county attorney review terms before a final decision. The transcript records no specific timeline for licensing, remodeling scope, or exact rent terms for a new tenant beyond the $5,000-a-year figure cited for the current occupant.