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Franklin County approves negotiation with Capital Academy to pilot discounted childcare for county employees
Summary
Fiscal Court authorized negotiating an agreement with Capital Academy to run a pilot childcare program in county-owned space; plan aims for discounted slots for county employees, capacity for 24 children initially, and budgeted startup costs of roughly $5,000.
Franklin County Fiscal Court on Aug. 12 authorized county staff to negotiate an agreement with Capital Academy, the sole bidder on a childcare RFP, to pilot discounted childcare for county employees in county-owned space.
Deputy Jack Kennedy described the plan as a recruitment and retention tool. He said the space — the county’s third floor in a building the county owns — would initially use two rooms for up to 24 children, with a lease model that applies a per-square-foot lease offset if county employees enroll. "The space is capable of, 24 children," Kennedy said.
Kennedy said state inspectors and the fire marshal have reviewed the proposed space; startup improvements were budgeted (approximately $5,000 for minor improvements such as security doors). The provider would operate under its own daycare license and insurance; county staff said the arrangement is structured as a leased-space relationship not a county-operated childcare center.
Magistrates raised several operational questions before final contract approval: priority access for county employees, hours to support shift workers (fire and sheriff), late‑pickup/fee policies, insurance and building-use implications for mixed public/private occupancy, and whether updated employee surveys validate demand. County staff said those specifics will be negotiated and returned to the court for final approval.
During the voting session the court approved awarding the bid to Capital Academy and authorized negotiation of an agreement; contract and final terms will return to the court for formal approval.
Next steps: staff to negotiate contract language that addresses employee priority slots, hours for nontraditional shifts, insurance and lease terms, and to present a final agreement for court approval.
