Welcome to Skagit County
August 6, 2026 Skagit Council on Aging to Operate Mount Vernon and Burlington Senior CentersSkagit County, in collaboration with the Skagit Council on Aging (SCOA), and the mayors of Burlington and Mount Vernon, recently explored options for the future operation of the Burlington and Mount Vernon senior centers. This discussion came at a timely moment, as Burlington's longtime senior center coordinator transitioned from the role, creating a natural opportunity to evaluate and strengthen the long-term sustainability of senior services in both communities. During the discussion, SCOA expressed interest and agreed to assume operations of the two senior centers and continue working with the partners to finalize details. The transition remains subject to the completion of interagency agreements and any required approvals by the participating governing bodies. County, city, and SCOA representatives are currently working together to finalize operational, financial, facility-use, and service-continuity arrangements to ensure a smooth transition for seniors and the community. The Skagit County Board of Commissioners welcomes the transition and looks forward to continuing its partnership with SCOA to support seniors throughout the community “We are incredibly thankful for a community partner like Skagit Council on Aging,” said Skagit County Commissioner Chair Ron Wesen. “Their creativity, flexibility, and commitment to serving older adults have made them a trusted partner for years. This transition represents an important step toward creating a stronger, more sustainable model for senior services in Skagit County, and we are committed to supporting SCOA to ensure their success.” Skagit County will continue to own the Mount Vernon senior center facility, while the City of Burlington will retain ownership of the Burlington senior center. SCOA will recruit to fill the vacant Burlington senior center coordinator position and will formally assume management of that facility once the position is filled. The County anticipates SCOA will begin managing the Mount Vernon Senior Center in early October 2026. Skagit County and the cities of Mount Vernon and Burlington will continue financially supporting the centers through SCOA for the remainder of 2026. Throughout the transition, seniors can expect services to continue without interruption. Meals, classes, activities, and other programming will remain on their regular schedules as SCOA assumes management responsibilities. Skagit County, SCOA, and the cities of Mount Vernon and Burlington will continue working together during the 2027 budget process to support the long-term success of both centers. “Our priority has always been ensuring older adults continue to have access to the programs, services, and social connections that are so important in healthy aging,” said County Commissioner Peter Browning. “As a senior myself, I understand the value these centers provide. Working together with our cities and SCOA has allowed us to develop a model that preserves these services while strengthening their future for generations to come.” Over the past year, Skagit County has worked with the cities of Mount Vernon, Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, and Anacortes, along with community partners, to develop a more sustainable approach to delivering senior services. As these discussions evolved, it became clear that nonprofit management offers significant advantages by aligning senior center programming, nutrition services, volunteers, and community partnerships under a single mission-focused organization. As demand for senior services continues to grow, County leaders believe transitioning senior center operations of the Burlington and Mount Vernon senior center to SCOA will create a more resilient and sustainable model for the future. As a nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to serving older adults, SCOA is better positioned to:
“This transition is about positioning senior services for long-term success,” said County Commissioner Joe Burns. “SCOA’s mission is centered entirely on serving older adults, and they are uniquely positioned to build community partnerships and provide services in ways local government simply cannot. By bringing senior nutrition and senior center operations together under one organization, we’re creating a stronger, more sustainable model that will better serve seniors for years to come.” The transition also builds upon successful changes already occurring throughout Skagit County. The City of Anacortes has successfully managed its own senior center for several years, and the City of Sedro-Woolley recently assumed management of its senior center. SCOA’s successful transition of the county-wide senior nutrition program further demonstrated its ability to effectively serve seniors for the entire community, making them a natural partner to assume management of the Mount Vernon and Burlington Senior Centers. While SCOA will oversee day-to-day operations, Skagit County and its municipal partners remain committed to supporting senior centers as valuable community resources. Together, the County, Cities, and SCOA will continue working to ensure older adults throughout Skagit County have access to welcoming spaces that promote health, independence, lifelong learning, and social connection. Questions and comments about the senior center transition can be submitted to the Skagit County Commissioners office at commissioners@co.skagit.wa.us |
