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Spring Grove council authorizes study of reopening city daycare
Summary
Mayor Wilhelmson outlined three scenarios for the closed city daycare and the council voted to authorize staff to research purchase and consult the city’s financial advisor to assess feasibility.
Mayor Bryran Wilhelmson told the council Oct. 21 that the city has investigated three options for reopening the closed daycare: do nothing (with estimated economic leakage to neighboring cities), share the facility with another entity, or reopen the daycare as a city-run operation.
Guest Casey Withington told the council her research suggested the number of jobs lost to neighboring cities could be in the 10–20 range; the mayor said the city currently sends an estimated $600,000–$900,000 in economic activity to nearby municipalities and that an earlier study estimated 6–10 jobs affected. Council Member Michael Hagen moved to authorize staff to continue researching options and to consult the city’s financial advisor; the motion, clarified as not a commitment to purchase, passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Restoring a daycare could retain local economic activity and jobs and reduce the need for residents to travel for childcare. The council’s approval is limited to further study; no purchase or binding financial commitment was approved.
Next steps: Staff will seek input from the city’s financial advisor and report back to the council with more detailed cost and operational information.
