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City staff to roll out high‑quality childcare fee waivers; council may need action to extend to new centers
Summary
City staff told the Economic Opportunity Committee on May 16 that a high‑quality childcare fee waiver program will begin a mid‑to‑late‑June rollout but that existing ordinance language limits waivers to current high‑quality programs; expanding eligibility to new or expanding centers will require council action.
City staff told the Economic Opportunity Committee on May 16 that the long‑anticipated high‑quality childcare fee waiver program will begin a mid‑to‑late‑June rollout but that the current ordinance limits waivers to existing high‑quality programs, so council action will be needed to extend waivers to new or expanding childcare centers.
Vice Chair (Mayor Pro Tem) Fuentes framed the program as part of a broader city effort to reduce childcare deserts and expand access, particularly on the East Side. Fuentes said the program was authorized by a 2023 council resolution and that staff has funding to begin offering waivers but that implementation has taken time.
Anne Eaton, assistant director (department not specified in the presentation), said the ordinance language approved by council currently limits the fee waivers to existing high‑quality programs. Eaton told the committee she and legal staff reviewed council direction and concluded that expanding the waiver to cover new programs would require an additional council action; staff plan to return in the summer with a proposal to clarify or expand eligibility.
Eaton said staff expects to roll out the initial waiver program mid to late June and that current authority to use the set of fee waivers runs through Sept. 30, 2025. With the funding and current ordinance language, Eaton estimated the department will be able to reach roughly 12–15 programs before Sept. 30, depending on project scope and fee amounts. Staff told the committee they will report monthly to the vice chair’s office on program uptake and will return to council if additional authority or an extension is required.
Committee members asked whether the waiver authority could be applied to both new and expanding centers. Eaton and staff said if council wants waivers to apply to new programs, staff will bring a follow‑up item for council consideration later this summer. Council members also raised the program’s limited authorization window and the need to include it in next year’s budget to continue the effort.
Eaton said staff have coordinated with Development Services and other departments to streamline application and outreach so applicants work primarily with Economic Development staff.
Ending: Committee members requested monthly progress updates and signaled support for returning to council with proposed ordinance language or budget authority to broaden the program and extend funding beyond Sept. 30 if needed.
