EXCERPT FROM: Summit Daily News
By Robert Allen
BRECKENRIDGE — Breckenridge Town Council during Tuesday's work session is to receive annual reports on recreation and child care, both of which have changed significantly during the national economic recession.
The town's child care scholarship program has grown to assist 148 children through $416,887 in scholarships this year. In 2008, the program assisted 69 children through $139,917 in scholarships.
“The requests for scholarships have increased significantly as the centers raise rates to cover true costs” and accept more “very low income” families receiving county or state subsidies, according to the child care report in Tuesday's council packet (available at www.townofbreckenridge.com).
Rates have increased by about 34 percent from an average of $42 per day in 2007 to an average of $57 per day in 2010.
The program is managed by Early Childhood Options on behalf of the town.
Breckenridge's child care scholarships and salary supplements to providers are financed through a property tax that is to generate a total of $6.6 million before it expires in 2013.
The town's recreation department in the past year included has undergone significant budget cuts and reductions in service levels, but changes have also been made to improve energy efficiency as well as maintain facilities.
The town's recreation department began 2009 with a projected budget of $5.16 million and ended the year at $4.22 million, according to a report in Tuesday's packet.
The department recorded 248,860 participants across its facilities in 2009, down from 2008 by 1,515 participants.