Overview
- The council approved a $3 million cut that ends the parks and recreation licensed child care program, with closures to occur within roughly two months.
- The affected sites are at Kearns, Magna, the Millcreek Activity Center, and the Northwest Activity Center, serving about 271 families during the school year and more than 300 in summer.
- A Pathway Group analysis identified nearly a $2 million annual subsidy, underutilization around 50%–60%, and concluded the program would not reach self-sufficiency even with repeated 20% fee hikes.
- A proposal from Councilmember Suzanne Harrison to keep services through the first quarter of 2026 with a 20% fee increase failed on a 5–4 vote after the majority opted to act now rather than wait for a December decision.
- County leaders pointed to state childcare subsidies and will notify families, host outreach events, compile provider lists, and explore school and private partnerships as parents report higher costs and waitlists for alternatives.