Lansing City Council hears presentation on Allamakee County Child Care Solutions Fund, hires another new police officer
by Joshua Sharpe
Monday, November 4, the Lansing City Council convened to address a variety of matters, including strategic investments to enhance city funds, and infrastructure improvements. The meeting also featured a presentation by Allamakee County Child Care Solutions Fund representatives, who explained the fund’s contributions to family support and its role in bolstering the local economy. Additionally, the council approved a new hire for the police department, the allocation of infrastructure funding, and upgrades to the marina facilities.
REPEAL OF TRASH COLLECTION FEE INCREASE
The council approved the repeal of Resolution 1027, which initially sought to increase trash collection fees. The council concluded that adjustments to such fees should adhere to a distinct regulatory process, and the repeal was approved unanimously.
HIRING OF NEW POLICE OFFICER
The council approved the hiring of Maison Schoh as a non-certified police officer with an hourly compensation rate of $22.26. Schoh becomes the department’s second officer hired, expanding the current Lansing/New Albin Police Force to three staff members since the hiring of new police chief Ross Kolsrud.
CITIZEN CONCERNS AND CHILD CARE SOLUTIONS FUND PRESENTATION
During the citizen concerns segment of the meeting, Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism Executive Director Val Reinke expressed appreciation to Mayor Mike Verdon for his involvement in the recent ACED Annual Meeting held in Lansing. Reinke was then joined by Michelle Barness with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) and City of Waukon City Manager Gary Boden in presenting an overview of the Allamakee County Child Care Solutions Fund. They emphasized the fund’s comprehensive strategy for addressing the childcare shortage within the region.
The Allamakee County Child Care Solutions Fund was established by local advocates and is managed by the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC). According to information provided in a flyer handed out at the meeting, the fund’s purpose is to support families and assist local businesses by increasing the accessibility of childcare services.
The fund representatives noted that the county’s childcare shortage hinders workforce participation, as many parents need help finding reliable and affordable care. They further explained this situation adversely impacts family stability and local businesses’ operations, which depend on a consistent workforce that often includes parents needing dependable childcare options.
The fund is operationalized through two principal initiatives: the “Wage Enhancement Program (WEP)” and “retention bonuses for in-home childcare providers.” The WEP aims to elevate employee pay within the childcare sector, addressing the industry’s high turnover rates by rendering these positions more attractive and sustainable. By offering competitive wages, childcare centers can enhance staff retention, which provides continuity for families and ensures a higher standard of care. Fund representatives conveyed that consistent staffing is crucial for establishing trust with families and providing children with a stable learning environment.
The second initiative provides retention bonuses for in-home childcare providers, who offer care in smaller, more flexible settings and often accommodate parents needing care beyond regular business hours. These bonuses assist providers in managing operational costs, implementing necessary improvements to their facilities, and sustaining their services.
The informational flyer provided at the meeting further outlined that in-home providers are vital to the childcare ecosystem in Allamakee County, particularly in rural areas where larger childcare centers may not be available. By providing financial support to these providers, the fund ensures that local families can access diverse care options tailored to various needs and schedules.
In addition to these immediate supports, the fund’s representatives discussed the broader economic advantages of reliable access to childcare. When parents have secure childcare options, the flyer outlined, they are better positioned to maintain employment, strengthening the local economy and benefiting businesses that rely on a stable workforce. The representatives presented data illustrating how childcare availability contributes to regional economic growth by enabling working parents to engage with and support other local enterprises, from retail to healthcare.
The representatives shared that the fund’s initiatives have already resulted in a modest increase in available childcare slots, particularly for infants and toddlers, where demand is most significant. They explained that this expansion alleviates waiting lists and provides families with greater flexibility, enhancing the attractiveness of Allamakee County to potential new residents and businesses seeking to invest in a supportive community.
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