Skagit County proclaims September National Senior Center Month as officials and residents warn 2026 budget gap threatens services

SKAGIT COUNTY, Wash. — The Skagit County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9 proclaimed September 2025 as National Senior Center Month and heard more than a dozen speakers describe the role of senior centers and the Meals on Wheels program as county officials warned of a $1.7 million pressure on the 2026 County General Fund.

Renee Nelson, Senior Program Manager for Skagit County, told commissioners "We are not closing senior centers or eliminating Meals on Wheels program" but said the county faces "a very difficult budget reality in 2026" and that "the cost of senior service programs ... is estimated to cost the County General Fund over $1,700,000 in 2026." She said staff are "working with public health on a few options to consider" and that none of the options under discussion would close the centers or end home meal delivery.

The nut graf: Senior centers and the Meals on Wheels program serve thousands of local residents, provide regular wellness checks and social contact, and rely on volunteers and limited public funding. County and community speakers stressed the programs' local reach and urged the board to consider funding and operational options before budget decisions are finalized.

Nelson summarized services and scale: Skagit County supports four full senior centers (Anacortes,…