On September 30, 2025, the Skagit County Commissioners made the difficult decision to request Northwest Regional Council find a new provider for the senior nutrition program starting July 1, 2026. Skagit County was facing a very challenging budget situation for 2026 and the demand for senior services and the cost for staffing and food in our area was continuing to outpace the funding we receive from NWRC and fundraising opportunities each year. NWRC will lead the effort to solicit proposals from the community to operate the senior nutrition program contract starting July 1, 2026.  

In addition to the rising costs for operating senior services and the senior nutrition program, the Mount Vernon Senior Center facility is in dire need of repair or replacement; however, the repair and replacement cost estimates have been prohibitive. Senior services and the senior nutrition program are estimated to cost the County over $1.7M from the general fund in 2026 alone, and if all current county operations and programs were maintained at 2025 levels, Skagit County was facing approximately a $19M deficit in the general fund.  

As a result of the budget deficit in the general fund, the County Commissioners needed to make reductions in our expenses to pass a balanced budget. Those reductions included eliminating 51 staff positions, transitioning the senior meal program to a nonprofit provider, continuing the current hiring freeze, consolidating county resources between departments, and looking at more efficient workflows and organizational structures to ensure mandated county services continue as required. The Commissioners will need to eliminate additional staff positions and other non-essential services in 2026 to balance the 2027 budget.  

Senior Center Operations  

Each senior center in Skagit County is operated through a partnership with the local City jurisdiction, with differing levels of operational support.  

• The City of Mount Vernon contributes $65,000 annually to the County for the operations of the Senior Center and the Nutrition Program.
• The County provides the facility, utilities, janitorial, maintenance, staffing and operations

• The City of Burlington contributes $15,000 annually to the County for the operations of the Senior Center and the Nutrition Program.
• The City of Sedro-Woolley contributes $23,000 annually to the County for the operations of the Senior Center and the Nutrition Program.
• Cities provide the facilities, janitorial, maintenance, and a cash contribution to the County.
• The County provides staffing and operations of the senior center and the nutrition program.
• Burlington’s Senior Center also serves as the central kitchen for congregate meals and Meals on Wheels for all cities.

• The County provides $105,000 annually to the city in lieu of providing County staff.
• The City of Anacortes provides $44,600 annually to the County for the operations of the Nutrition Program.
• The City of Anacortes provides the facility, janitorial, maintenance, staffing and operation of the Center.

• The Town of Concrete contributes $9,229 annually to the County for the operations of the Community Center.
• The County provides the facility, utilities, janitorial, and maintenance.
• The County contributes $167,400 annually to Community Action of Skagit County for staffing and operations of the Community Center in Concrete, which does include preparation and service of lunch on site five (5) days per week. This is separate from the nutrition/meal program offered in the Senior centers.
• The facility operates as a community center serving all ages, reflecting population size and local needs.
• This model reflects geographic and demographic realities and differs from traditional senior-center-only operations. The meal program is not funded by NWRC as it does not meet age restriction eligibility.

Evaluation of Senior Center Funding Models

The Commissioners are currently evaluating how we partner with city jurisdictions to fund each senior center to ensure senior center programming remains sustainable into the future. The Commissioners are not discussing or considering service reductions within the senior centers. Senior centers are fully funded in the 2026 budget for current operations.

Each city has historically provided funding to the County to support both senior center activities and senior nutrition programs. The city contributions to the County were combined rather than differentiated by service type.

The amounts reflect combined support for senior center operations and senior nutrition programs.

Beginning July 1, 2026, the senior nutrition program will no longer be administered by the County. In response to the upcoming change, the cities and county entered into 6-month contracts, January 1-June 30, 2026, instead of a year-long contract for 2026. As a result, the city contribution structures beyond June 30, 2026, need to be discussed and re-negotiated.

This transition presents an opportunity to revisit and clarify the County–City partnership specifically related to senior center operations, separate from nutrition services. While all cities benefit from senior center services, the current financial model does not consistently reflect operating costs or the varying levels of city support.

Next Steps

The County Commissioners are hosting a work session with Public Health staff on February 6, 2026, to evaluate the current funding models for each senior center, review service models in neighboring jurisdictions, and consider options for an equitable and sustainable funding model moving forward.

This work session is intended to be educational for the Commissioners, and there will be no decisions made at this time. Staff will present options for funding senior centers with the cities.

These options are preliminary, and any decision will need to be made in partnership and coordination with the city jurisdictions. After the work session, the Commissioners and Public Health staff will continue to discuss these options with the Cities.

• Public Health Memo to Commissioners
• Presentation Slides

Relevant Press Releases

September 30, 2025
Skagit County to Request Transition of Senior Nutrition Program to Alternate Provider
Commissioners directed Public Health to provide notice to the Northwest Regional Council (NWRC) that a new provider will be needed for the senior nutrition program starting July 1, 2026  

September 25, 2025
Skagit County Commissioners Schedule Public Meeting to Discuss Senior Nutrition Contract
County Commissioners requested Public Health staff to present options for reducing the budget, including evaluation of either reducing hot congregate meals and hot meal deliveries or transitioning the senior nutrition program contract to a nonprofit.  

September 22, 2025
Skagit County Commissioners to Host Annual Budget Meetings
Commissioners will host a series of budget work sessions over the next two weeks with each department and elected office to discuss 2026 budget requests  

September 9, 2025
Skagit County Commissioners to Host Senior Services Budget Meetings
The Skagit Board of County Commissioners hosted a proclamation today to recognize September as National Senior Center Month.  

September 9, 2025
Skagit County Commissioners Remain Committed to Senior Services and Meals on Wheels Programs
The ability to share hot meals, both via delivery and congregate meals in our centers, gives seniors with limited ability to cook or leave their house unassisted a sense of connection and safety.