The First 5 Sacramento Commission on Oct. 6 approved a revenue agreement with the Sacramento County Department of Airports to fund a study and initial research on building a child care center at Sacramento Metropolitan Airport (SMF).

Lindsay Dunkel told the commission the proposed revenue agreement covers a research and development scope through June 30, 2026, and includes a $25,000 subcontract with Child Action, Inc. for child care expertise; the total contract amount with the Department of Airports was described in the agenda as $55,000 for research and development consultation.

Steven Clark, director of operations at the airport, described workforce need and the potential scale of demand among airport employees and tenant vendors. Clark gave a personal account of growing up in aviation and the child-care gap he experienced: “I couldn’t afford childcare, for my son. And I was on food stamps,” he said, urging the project as an equity and workforce-support measure.

Commissioners asked about potential models for sustainability, whether Head Start or other funding could be part of a mixed-delivery approach, and what the airport enterprise fund’s role would be in operations. Clark said the state allocation identified by Senator Ashby — $1,500,000 for the Department of Airports — is intended for capital improvement; ongoing maintenance and operations would be addressed in the project’s business model and likely involve employer or user payments and enterprise fund structures rather than the county general fund.

Lindsay Dunkel said the study will examine interim options (including a vacant space in Terminal B) and long-term facility possibilities, convene experts and stakeholders, and analyze mixed-delivery financing that could include employer contributions, Head Start partnerships for program support, and potential after-school services for older children.

The commission approved the revenue agreement by roll call. The airport and First 5 staff said the study will return recommendations and further cost estimates to the commission.