BRECKENRIDGE — Breckenridge Town Council during Tuesday's work session is to receive annual reports on recreation and child care, both of which have changed significantly during the national economic recession.

The town's child care scholarship program has grown to assist 148 children through $416,887 in scholarships this year. In 2008, the program assisted 69 children through $139,917 in scholarships.

“The requests for scholarships have increased significantly as the centers raise rates to cover true costs” and accept more “very low income” families receiving county or state subsidies, according to the child care report in Tuesday's council packet (available at www.townofbreckenridge.com).

Rates have increased by about 34 percent from an average of $42 per day in 2007 to an average of $57 per day in 2010.

The program is managed by Early Childhood Options on behalf of the town.

Breckenridge's child care scholarships and salary supplements to providers are financed through a property tax that is to generate a total of $6.6 million before it expires in 2013.

The town's recreation department in the past year included has undergone significant budget cuts and reductions in service levels, but changes have also been made to improve energy efficiency as well as maintain facilities.

The town's recreation department began 2009 with a projected budget of $5.16 million and ended the year at $4.22 million, according to a report in Tuesday's packet.

The department recorded 248,860 participants across its facilities in 2009, down from 2008 by 1,515 participants.

The department also made changes in the past year to conserve energy — decreasing the ice arena's utility bills by 16 percent from 2008.

Last year, roof repairs were completed at the recreation center and the Stephen C. West Ice Arena.

In the past two years, the recreation center's family locker room area was upgraded and the kitchen in the multi-purpose room was renovated. Plans for this year include a locker room renovation.

Work session agenda

Some of the other items town council is to address at today's town council work session (starting at 3 p.m.):

• proposal on electronic messaging signs for traffic and more

• intergovernmental agreement with Summit County for open space

• landscaping plan for Blue River corridor

Council meeting agenda

Some items to be addressed during the council's regular meeting (starting at 7 p.m.):

• an emergency ordinance to allow transfer of ownership for medical marijuana dispensaries

• final vote to repeal the Entrada (previously proposed development across CR 450 from 7-Eleven) annexation ordinance

• preliminary vote on intergovernmental agreement with Summit County for home energy loan program