Beaumont Council proposes changes in home daycare code

BEAUMONT - The Beaumont City Council is working toward changing its city codes to keep open 16 home-based daycare businesses.

If council approves the changes, about 100 children won't have to change their daily routines.

We first introduced you to Tiffany Smith in May. She was concerned about losing her home-based business, Ms. Tiffany's Daycare. After a complaint against the business, a city code enforcement officer determined Smith wasn't in compliance with city codes.

"I deal with children all day so my life is very happy and upbeat," said Smith. "All this was weighing on me and the other ladies with daycare facilities."

Smith and 15 other daycare owners, all licensed by the state, were told they'd have to make thousands of dollars in upgrades to meet city codes. Some of those changes included an additional bathroom, separate kitchen and a sprinkler system.

Joyce Winn said she couldn't afford the changes and she joined other daycares to lobby city council.

"I don't see them as the big bad wolf as I did see them on August 13, so I am really grateful for that," said Winn.

During Tuesday's meeting the council looked at making major changes to its home care codes. Under the proposal, the daycares would submit to once-a-year fire inspections. Daycares already in operation will be grandfathered in. New ones will have to apply for a special use permit. That means neighbors living within 200 feet will have a say in whether the business can open in the neighborhood.

"I would like to say that never did anyone on the city council nor city staff want to shut down any of these facilities, but once we found out about this we had to follow code until we changed the code," said Mayor Becky Ames.

Mayor Ames says the changes are a win-win for the city, daycare providers and the families they serve.

The council is expected to approve the ordinance changes during its September 7 meeting.