County Council proposal expands childcare access without taxpayer subsidies

More daycare spots available without using tax dollars? That’s what the Salt Lake County Council voted unanimously to support last month when Councilmember Laurie Stringham and I brought forward a proposal to explore a new approach to childcare.

Last December, the council voted to close four county-run daycare centers as part of efforts to reduce the proposed property tax increase put forward by Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. An extensive report highlighted the significant subsidy the county had been providing to a relatively small number of families. Taxpayers were contributing between $6,000 and $10,000 per child each year, covering roughly half of the tuition costs for 271 children enrolled in county-run programs.

Many residents who contacted me said they support helping families who are struggling financially afford childcare. That’s a reasonable and compassionate position. However, the county program had no income qualifications, meaning families earning above the median household income were also receiving subsidies funded by taxpayers — including those living on fixed or lower incomes.

The report and audit findings also made it clear that while the county performs many important services well, operating childcare centers was not one of them. In addition to financial concerns, the program had operational challenges that raised questions about whether the county should be directly running childcare programs in the first place. Even if the program had worked perfectly, it would have been impossible for the county to provide daycare services to every family who might want them.

At the same time, the need for childcare in our community continues to grow. Families across Salt Lake County are facing rising childcare costs and limited availability, making it difficult for many parents to remain in the workforce. Access to reliable childcare is not just a family issue — it is also an economic issue that affects employers and communities across the county.

As Stringham and I looked for alternatives, we began exploring whether the county could help expand childcare access without directly operating the programs or increasing taxes.

Our proposal is simple: allow nonprofit childcare providers to lease existing county childcare spaces and operate their own programs. These organizations would raise their own funding, hire their own staff, and manage their own operations. In return, they would receive discounted rent in exchange for prioritizing care for low-income and vulnerable families. The rent payments would cover the county’s operations and maintenance costs for the space, ensuring that taxpayers are not subsidizing the programs.

This type of partnership could create a win-win solution. Nonprofit providers gain access to affordable space, families gain additional childcare options, and taxpayers are protected from ongoing subsidies.

The council unanimously approved our legislative intent, and our Parks and Recreation Department will now evaluate childcare spaces at the Magna, Kearns and Northwest Recreation Centers to determine which facilities may be viable for leasing to childcare providers. We are also working with the Granite School District to explore a similar arrangement for the childcare space in Millcreek.

Stringham and I recognize that this approach will not solve the childcare shortage overnight, but it represents a practical step forward. By working with community partners, Salt Lake County can help expand childcare availability while respecting the taxpayers who make these public facilities possible.

Families deserve more childcare options, and taxpayers deserve responsible stewardship of public funds. With creative partnerships and thoughtful planning, we can pursue both goals at the same time.