Representatives of the Silverton Family Learning Center told the San Juan County Board of Commissioners that state funding changes and recent fundraising shortfalls have left the childcare center operating month to month. SFLC asked the county to provide $45,000 from lodging‑tax reserves to cover payroll and keep the center open until new state grants and reimbursements arrive after July 1.

SFLC representatives said payroll runs about $16,000–$17,000 per month. The center reported current enrollment of 17 children and described a drop in state funding after the 2023 move to universal preschool; representatives said SFLC lost between about $65,000 and $80,000 per year compared with prior funding and estimated total reductions near $150,000 over two years. SFLC staff said the requested $45,000 would allow the center to meet payroll and remain open to receive fall state funding and pending grants.

SFLC requested both an immediate one‑time amount ($45,000) and that commissioners consider allocating a continuing share of the lodging tax set‑aside that voters authorized for housing and childcare (the ballot language allows up to 40% of the lodging tax to be used for those purposes). SFLC materials proposed dedicating 25% to 30% of that 40% to childcare; commissioners noted they can only appropriate lodging tax money yearly and must balance childcare against affordable housing and other requests.

Multiple parents, teachers and community members spoke in support. Sarah (SFLC) said the money is needed for payroll: "our payroll runs about between $16,000 and $17,000 a month" and that the requested funds would help the center "get through at least the fiscal year" until state reimbursements arrive. Community speakers described the center as the town's primary child‑care provider and urged the commissioners to act.

County staff described the lodging tax fund balance and recent uses: a beginning‑of‑year fund balance of roughly $122,000, a $13,000 expenditure earlier in the year for remediation, an ongoing $16,000 per year grant for the center in prior years, and a $7,300 payment for a remediation project. Commissioners asked for a detailed, line‑item budget showing how $45,000 would be spent, a summary of recent cuts SFLC has made, continued revenue projections, and any grants or TANF reimbursements SFLC expects. Commissioners also discussed alternatives such as paying off the SFLC mortgage (representatives said the mortgage balance is about $16,000) to remove rent costs (the county currently pays roughly $6,000 a year in rent on the facility).

No appropriation was made. Commissioners agreed to receive SFLC's requested documentation and financial details and to consider the request at the next meeting. SFLC representatives said they could remain operational into mid‑May and would provide the requested materials in advance of the next meeting.

Why this matters: SFLC is the town's primary childcare provider; loss of the center would directly affect workers' ability to remain employed and would reduce early‑childhood education capacity in Silverton. Commissioners indicated sympathy and support but asked for standard budgetary documentation before making an emergency appropriation.

What happens next: SFLC will provide a line‑item budget, a list of cuts and a schedule of expected reimbursements and grant income; county staff will review lodging‑tax fund balances and legal restrictions and return to commissioners for a funding decision.