Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cdbg Child Care topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Coffee County approves application to seek CDBG funds for USD 243 Early Childhood Development Center
Summary
The Coffee County Commission voted to authorize applying for a Kansas Community Development Block Grant to renovate a former clinic into an Early Childhood Development Center for USD 243, approving resolutions, an interlocal agreement and an administration contract contingent on award.
The Coffee County Board of County Commissioners voted to authorize the county to apply for a Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to renovate a former medical clinic into an Early Childhood Development Center to serve Unified School District (USD) 243.
County staff said the total project renovation cost is approximately $820,000. USD 243 will provide a local cash match of $136,668; the county application will request the remaining $683,332 from the CDBG program. The county acted after USD 243 representatives and county staff reviewed the application materials and supporting documents.
The board approved a resolution certifying legal authority to apply (resolution 2025-947) and a separate resolution assuring the Kansas Department of Commerce that funds will be provided for operation and maintenance (resolution 2025-948). Commissioners then approved an interlocal agreement in which the county will apply on behalf of USD 243 and the school district will supply the cash match and operate the facility if the award is made.
Commissioners also authorized a contract for project administration services with Western Consultants, contingent on grant award; the administration fee is expected to be provided by USD 243 as part of its match. County staff said grant funds would be drawn down monthly and disbursed to contractors by the county, with the school district providing matching payments on pay applications.
USD 243 representatives told the board the renovated facility would allow the district to expand early-childhood capacity. As described to the commission, the project would increase licensed capacity to as many as 50 child-care slots and shift some capacity toward younger children (discussion referenced “1- to 2½-year-olds” rather than only 2½–5 year olds). The transcript records that final programing and exact ages served will be determined by USD 243 and incorporated in the grant application materials.
The board voted to authorize the chairman to sign the application documents and associated assurances and to sign the interlocal agreement and administration contract if the grant is awarded. Commissioners emphasized that no county obligation to spend construction funds exists until the state awards the grant and a contract is executed.
If awarded, the project will be administered by the county with monthly reimbursement draws from the state; USD 243 will be responsible for the local match and long-term operation of the center.
Commissioners directed staff to submit the application on the department’s timetable and return to the board with any contract or award documents for review.
