Justin Wilson, City Councilman and member of the Hopkins House Board of Trustees, proposed the addition of $420,000 to Alexandria's fiscal 2017 budget to provide care to 58 low-income children and reduce the existing 10-month wait for services. This local investment of funds will potentially allow the city to draw down on $174,000 in state early childhood funding.

Wilson's proposal is contingent on council approval of a one cent increase in the local real estate tax rate and is one among several budget proposals submitted by council members for debate during the council's budget work session on May 2.  City Council will hold a special meeting on May 10 to adopt a budget.