The Montgomery County Council met in a special meeting on Monday to pass the 2025 county budget and approve two ordinances.
The total 2025 county budget in the amount of $46,771,172 was approved, as was the general fund, which totals $15,272,548.
Before the council passed the budget, a large delegation representing the Montgomery County Early Learning Center was on hand to support the funds allotted in the county budget for the new center. The county has agreed to give $125,000 toward the project.
The learning center is currently under construction at the former county office building in the 100 block of West South Boulevard. The project is being spearheaded by the Montgomery County Community Foundation. It is slated for completion in the spring of 2025 and will provide 124 children with care. Once opened, it will be operated by KinderCare, an accredited national childcare provider.
The $5 million investment in the center has been made possible through the partnership of businesses, government and philanthropy working together to create long-term, sustainable solutions to meet the critical need for additional high-quality childcare. Partners in this endeavor include: Acuity Lighting, City of Crawfordsville, DES Engineering, Early Learning Indiana, Hoosier Heartland State Bank, Lakeside Book Company, Montgomery County government, MCCF, North Central Health Services, Nucor, Penguin Random House, State of Indiana, Tempur Sealy, Tipmont, Tri-County Bank & Trust and Wabash College.
MCCF Director Kelly Taylor assembled those major investors in the learning center, and several attended the meeting, along with the MCCF staff.
Twelve people spoke in favor of the learning center, and in particular, the funding that was set aside in the county budget.
Their attendance Monday was in response to a discussion initiated at the last council meeting by council member Gary Booth. Booth voiced his opposition to providing county tax dollars toward the learning center.
Wabash College President Scott Feller was one of several community leaders on hand to support the learning center.
“Wabash College has provided over $1 million,” Feller said. “We have found it is in our best interest to have an employee work and live in Montgomery County. Childcare is one of two big issues with our employees when they are deciding where to live. We feel the new child learning center is needed in our community.”
Immediately following the public comments, council member Brett Cating made a motion to approve the budget. After no discussion the budget passed 6-0. Booth was not at the meeting.
