Waunakee trustees discuss $85,000 ARPA childcare proposal; ask staff to refine plan for April meeting
April 02, 2024 | Waunakee, Dane County, Wisconsin
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Trustee Robert McPherson presented a draft ARPA-funded childcare proposal modeled on the state's "childcare accounts" approach and proposed setting aside $85,000 to provide one-time payments to licensed village childcare providers.
"I'm asking for $85,000 from our remaining funds," McPherson said, framing the plan as a temporary, targeted measure to extend provider subsidies while longer-term state solutions are pursued. He said the draft would follow the state's program mechanics (provider proof of child counts and payroll) and would be limited to licensed family and group facilities located in the village.
Staff said the village received $1,470,000 in ARPA funds and that remaining dollars fall into a revenue-loss category that gives local flexibility on eligible uses. Staff recommended simplifying administrative requirements relative to the state's program where feasible and acknowledged the board could relax validation requirements to reduce burden while still reserving audit rights for suspected misuse.
Multiple trustees and providers raised questions about the program design: whether certified small providers (two were identified in Waunakee) should be included, whether payments should prioritize higher YoungStar-rated providers, the structure of payments (one lump sum equivalent vs. monthly payments), and the degree of required documentation. Long-time local provider Nyla Fry urged prioritizing direct wage increases for early‑childhood workers and asked that certified providers not be excluded.
Trustees agreed there is broad interest in piloting a short-term supplement but emphasized it is a "Band‑Aid," not a long-term solution. McPherson said he will begin collecting provider contact information and projected requests; staff agreed to work with him and return a revised proposal with a payment matrix and application timeline for a future meeting (the board discussed scheduling more detailed action for April 15).
"I'm asking for $85,000 from our remaining funds," McPherson said, framing the plan as a temporary, targeted measure to extend provider subsidies while longer-term state solutions are pursued. He said the draft would follow the state's program mechanics (provider proof of child counts and payroll) and would be limited to licensed family and group facilities located in the village.
Staff said the village received $1,470,000 in ARPA funds and that remaining dollars fall into a revenue-loss category that gives local flexibility on eligible uses. Staff recommended simplifying administrative requirements relative to the state's program where feasible and acknowledged the board could relax validation requirements to reduce burden while still reserving audit rights for suspected misuse.
Multiple trustees and providers raised questions about the program design: whether certified small providers (two were identified in Waunakee) should be included, whether payments should prioritize higher YoungStar-rated providers, the structure of payments (one lump sum equivalent vs. monthly payments), and the degree of required documentation. Long-time local provider Nyla Fry urged prioritizing direct wage increases for early‑childhood workers and asked that certified providers not be excluded.
Trustees agreed there is broad interest in piloting a short-term supplement but emphasized it is a "Band‑Aid," not a long-term solution. McPherson said he will begin collecting provider contact information and projected requests; staff agreed to work with him and return a revised proposal with a payment matrix and application timeline for a future meeting (the board discussed scheduling more detailed action for April 15).
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