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Skagit County officials deny plans to close senior centers, outline Meals on Wheels funding pressures
Summary
At a Sept. 9 meeting the board issued a proclamation recognizing National Senior Center Month and publicly disputed circulating rumors that the county planned to close senior centers. Officials said the county now contributes nearly $2 million a year to Meals on Wheels and that senior centers remain a continuing county priority.
Skagit County commissioners used part of their Sept. 9 Board of Health meeting to issue a proclamation recognizing September as National Senior Center Month and to rebut circulating rumors that the county planned to close senior centers.
“There was some misinformation passed around the community…we have no idea where it came from,” the board chair said, reading a statement that rejected the rumor and noting the county had contacted local news outlets and a political party that had circulated inaccurate claims. The chair said both entities apologized for not checking sources.
The board said senior centers are an ongoing county priority and described current funding pressures for Meals on Wheels. A commissioner noted the county’s share of Meals on Wheels funding has grown as federal funding decreased: the board said the county now contributes “close to $2,000,000 a year” to the program. Officials said some program changes or local adjustments might follow as the county adapts to shifting funding sources, but the board emphasized there was no plan to close the network of senior centers.
Commissioners identified local ownership and operational arrangements for several centers: Burlington’s center is owned by the city of Burlington, Cedar (likely spelled “Sedro-Woolley” in county records) is owned by the city of Sedro-Woolley, and Anacortes’ center is owned by the city of Anacortes. The board said the county will continue to provide some staffing and support even where facilities are city-owned. The chair invited members of the public to comment at a follow-up session scheduled later in the meeting.
The proclamation was presented as recognition and reassurance rather than a policy change. Staff and commissioners asked for public comment time later in the session to address questions and concerns.
What wasn’t decided: the board did not adopt any ordinance or formal policy change related to senior centers at this meeting; the remarks were a public clarification and proclamation recognizing National Senior Center Month.
