The Board of County Commissioners voted to accept the Children's Services fiscal year 2026 annual report and funding recommendations on Dec. 2.

Christy Hagen, children's services coordinator, and advisory board members Caroline Garifola and Debbie Tapp summarized priorities including child and family well-being, early care and kindergarten readiness, and a new focus on pool safety after drownings in private pools were cited as a rising concern. Garifola and Tapp described the advisory board's volunteer workload and the review process used to evaluate applications for funding.

Commissioners asked about changes in allocations year-over-year and whether fluctuations reflected grant availability, application mixes or evolving priorities. Advisory board members said agencies self-select categories in applications and funding decisions also consider available matching funds.

The board approved the advisory board's recommendations and confirmed that the millage supporting these funds is set at 0.33. Commissioners commended the volunteers for the time spent reviewing applications and asked staff to continue ensuring accountability through periodic monitoring visits and audits.

What happens next: Staff will proceed with the grant cycle and monitoring for FY26 programs under the advisory board's priorities.