Residents urge Summit County to invest in childcare as costs and waitlists rise

Several Summit County residents used the meetings public-comment period to urge the council to step up with funding and policy support for early childhood care and preschool access.

Jim Hitchon called for county partnership to preserve multigenerational community life and warned that high childcare costs risk community sustainability. "Is this sustainable?" Hitchon asked, noting demographic concerns for quality of life.

Parents who spoke described long waitlists and large out-of-pocket costs. Ryan Streams said he expects to spend "about a hundred thousand dollars" per child through age 5: "By the time both my boys are in kindergarten, I will have spent $200,000 on child care," he said, and argued federal and state funds are not filling the gap. Alex Whitley described the family trade-offs that leave some residents considering leaving the county because childcare cost and access are barriers.

Other speakers, including Bob Jackler and Tom Collier, urged county investment rather than shifting costs to employers and described how childcare instability affects retention of service workers and first responders.

Council members thanked speakers and noted child care will be on upcoming agenda discussions with Park City and other partners; the meeting did not include a vote or a formal county funding commitment, but members said they will continue conversations as part of retreat and budget planning work.