HomeMy WebLinkAbout20231709.tiffHEARING CERTIFICATION
DOCKET NO. 2023-48
RE: SERVICE PLAN FOR FIRST FIVE YEARS EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
SERVICE DISTRICT - EARLY CHILDHOOD ALLIANCE STAKEHOLDERS
A public hearing was conducted on June 19, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., with the following present:
Commissioner Mike Freeman, Chair
Commissioner Perry L. Buck, Pro-Tem
Commissioner Scott K. James
Commissioner Kevin D. Ross
Commissioner Lori Saine
Also present:
Clerk to the Board, Esther Gesick
County Attorney, Bruce Barker
The following business was transacted:
la I hereby certify that pursuant to a notice dated May 22, 2023, and duly published May 24,
2023, in the Greeley Tribune, a public hearing was conducted to consider the request of the Early
Childhood Alliance Stakeholders, for a Service Plan for First Five Years Early Childhood
Development Service District. Bruce Barker, County Attorney, made this a matter of record. He
stated the proposed district boundary would be coterminous with the boundaries of the Boulder
Valley School District and the St. Vrain Valley School District. He provided a brief overview of the
review process and the options for action to be taken by the Board, and explained the
Commissioners' jurisdiction is specific to considering only the area located within Weld County,
with the remainder of the proposed district to be considered by the Board of Boulder County
Commissioners tomorrow. Mr. Barker further reviewed the various sections of criteria to be
considered and met, otherwise the Board must deny the application.
John Chmil, Lyons Gaddis Attorneys and Counselors, represented the applicant and
presented a brief summary of the proposal and Title 32 Special District Service Plan. He stated
the process for this unique type of special district was added in 2019. He introduced Tim Waters
as the representative of the applicant, shared the purpose of the district and underscored the
statutory compliance of the request. Mr. Chmil displayed a PowerPoint presentation and asserted
there is a gap in the level or service, versus the level of need, based on the growing population
and the existing services in the area. He discussed the proposed property tax mill levy and stated
the desire is to leverage the generated tax base to create a funding mechanism to coordinate and
provide services for early childhood learning, cover the gap of need and cost, and prop up and
expand existing services. In response to Commissioner James, Mr. Waters referenced a study
within the plan showing the various funding revenue streams that would generate $32 million,
versus the existing services costs. Commissioner James inquired concerning the ability to assess
the need before the service has already begun, how many parents will take advantage of the
Universal Pre -K program, how the plan will entice providers to create positions for kids, as well
as enhance the childcare workforce. Mr. Waters explained the two criteria for unlicensed
providers: 1) complete a certified training program, and 2) participate in quality assurance
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programing. Responding to Commissioner Saine, Mr. Chmil reiterated, based on the defined need
in the proposed service area, the proposal is to distribute funds at the local level, prop up existing
providers, expand more accessible services, and coordinate with existing providers so they can
enhance and expand. He further stated the objective is to gather feedback from existing providers
so the district can support the identified needs. In response to Commissioner Ross, he asserted
the district will not provide the service, rather, they intend to receive feedback and implement
operations based on needs expressed by the service providers. Mr. Waters stated the district will
manage contracts with providers to ensure needed funding and resources are distributed to build
a quality workforce. Commissioner James commented the FFN (Friends, Family and
Neighborhood) resources are not recognized by state programs, but the service of this district will
be recognized.
IEI Responding to Commissioner Saine, Mr. Barker explained Boulder County will be
considering the matter tomorrow, and any possible denial of the Service Plan may be appealed
and reviewed by the District Court. He reiterated the board is tasked with determining if the plan
meets the statutory criteria, specific to the area in Weld County. Commissioner Saine reiterated
5.0 mills is a lot for individuals on a fixed income, and she with the lack of evidence for an
economical or sufficient service. Responding to Commissioner Buck, Mr. Waters stated they have
not discussed the idea with Greeley -Evans District 6; however, the ability to go through this
process is the same for all jurisdictions and, if approved, then it will be simpler to add other school
districts in the future, versus building it for all of them from the beginning. He stated the desire to
create the first Service Plan and demonstrate success and then add others if they want to
participate.
Responding to Commissioner Ross concerning compliance with Criteria D and the ability to
reduce the mill levy in the future, Mr. Chmil stated they are not proposing bonded indebtedness,
rather, they would create regular funding management, identify contract providers to assist and
enhance services, and then pass -through funds to implement the services within the community.
He stated there will be limited overhead costs, the Board will consist of elected community service
members from the service area who will identify and disburse funding to the community service
providers. Responding further to Commissioner Ross, Mr. Waters stated this plan does not
exacerbate the problem for limited people going into this area of the workforce due to low salary,
rather, the intent is to entice and grow the workforce, whereas currently FFN providers cannot
participate. He referenced the finance plan and listed personnel costs do not include construction
overhead and he further discussed the financing assessment, per C.R.S. §32-1-203(2)(c).
Mr. Waters stated part of the struggle has been training people to step into a workplace that is
under-resourced, so in order to improve the provider services, they intend to offer grants for
providers to enhance themselves. Commissioner Ross clarified the proposed mill levy increase
would fund the project, and the District Board would have the budgetary discretion reduce the mill
levy in the future, if appropriate. Mr. Waters confirmed the next part of the process is to place the
matter on the ballot for local voter approval of the mill levy question and election of five (5) people,
who will be responsible to create a unit of government, with input from legal counsel.
- -- Matt Eldred introduced himself as a Boulder resident, Executive Director of the TLC Early
Learning Center, and member of the Early Childhood Alliance Stakeholders. He discussed the
value of this proposed District layer of funding, contrasted against the state funding program, and
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how this plan would create a locally elected board of officials to govern and leverage funds and
help existing programs. Mr. Eldred stated this proposal will allow unlicensed, quality providers to
acquire the necessary certification to become eligible to access the public funds, all while growing
the workforce. He cited positive aspects, including designating local funds where they are needed,
while building capacity and a local workforce, which is a model that could be duplicated throughout
the state of Colorado.
El Amy Ogilve, Executive Director of the Wild Plum Center (Early Head Start provider in Weld
and Boulder Counties), as well as a member of the Early Childhood Alliance, expressed her
support for the proposed district and shared a story of a single father who struggled with the care
and education of his child with behavioral issues, which placed his employment in jeopardy. She
reported the positive outcomes due to high -quality and trained staff which resulted in a profound
benefit to the family and the community as a whole.
Sarah Sharp, Weld County resident, shared her professional background as a prime writer
of the proposed Service Plan. She stated the State has narrowed its funding and as a result many
mental health specialists are leaving the field because the compensation is not commensurate
with the cost of their education or the work expectations, thus every sector of the economy is
affected by the childcare crisis. She stated it is imperative to address the negative trend now with
a majority of children who will not be ready to enter kindergarten.
to Cheryl Spraetz, Longmont resident, addressed an earlier question from Commissioner Saine
and stated the reference to the 13% came from Richard Heckman, Economics Nobel Prize
winner. She explained his research indicated the return on investment for underprivileged
children, ages 0-5, was 13%.
Responding to Commissioner Saine, Mr. Chmil stated the predominant component of the
Service District Plan is the efficient pass through of funding via direct service provider contracts
or grants. He stated the additional, independent funding component will add to the revenue for
service providers to expand and meet the defined economic need, with more efficient and
economical support to families.
In response to Commissioner Buck, Mr. Barker reiterated the Board must identify if the
proposed service plan meets the statutory criteria, or deem the matter denied. Commissioner
James commented throwing more money at a problem doesn't fix it — the primary need is a quality
workforce. Commissioner Freeman stated this affords local providers with the opportunity to
address their needs due to lack of the state to get the job done. Commissioner Saine commented
she would prefer to find a solution without more taxation. Commissioner Ross stated the main
benefit is empowerment of local officials to work to address the need locally, and he believes the
plan addresses criteria A, B, C, and D because it gives the local community the ability to
acknowledge there is a problem and vote to correct the gap. Chair Freeman agreed and stated
the plan meets the statutory requirements and he supported moving it forward to the next step of
the process.
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Commissioner James moved to find there is sufficient evidence that criteria listed in C.R.S. §32-
1 -203(2)(a -d) and (2.5)(a -e) have been met, and thus approve the request of the Early Childhood
Alliance Stakeholders for a Service Plan for the First Five Years Early Childhood Development
Service District. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ross. Upon a roll, the motion carried
four (4) to one (1), with Commissioner Saine opposed. There being no further discussion, the
hearing was completed at 10:53 a.m.
This Certification was approved on the 5th day of July, 2023.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST: f
Mi - ree an, Chair
Weld County Clerk to the Board
BY:
ALA- _ A 1 L....
/6eputy Clerk to the Board AI
Per . Bu ro-Tem
Sc t K. Jame
KevinD.
Lori Sai
2023-1709
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ATTENDANCE LIST
�0-14- 2023
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