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Skagit County approves consent agenda, including FEMA-funded buyout, park acquisition grant and shelter contract
Summary
On Aug. 11 the Skagit County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the consent agenda (items 1–29), which included a FEMA-funded voluntary buyout for a flood-damaged riverfront property, a state grant for the Big Rock park acquisition, a $474,857 contract for a drop-in shelter operator and several infrastructure and conservation agreements.
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, approved its consent agenda, items 1 through 29, by unanimous voice vote. Key items on the consent agenda included a FEMA-funded real estate purchase and sale agreement for a flood-damaged riverfront property, a Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant for the Big Rock acquisition, a Washington State Department of Health amendment for an ultraviolet upgrade at the Edison wastewater treatment facility, and a $474,857 one-year personal services agreement with Welcome Home Skagit to operate the county’s drop-in shelter.
Public-works staff described the FEMA-funded buyout as the result of a declared disaster following a major 2021 flooding and wind event. County staff said the process took about three years to reach agreement. The funding pathway runs from FEMA through the state to the county; the apparent intent is for the property owner to receive funds to buy another residence, then demolish the damaged house, cap or properly decommission septic and well infrastructure, and restore the site to a natural state with “no trespassing” signage. County staff said the program in this case is voluntary for the property owner and that the property’s buyout value was based on a pre-disaster appraisal. County officials emphasized this is an uncommon, case-by-case purchase enabled by disaster-declaration funding.
Other consent items discussed at the meeting included: - A grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office for the Big Rock acquisition near Big Lake; county commissioners and staff said the site has cultural significance to the Upper Skagit Tribe and they plan to work with tribal partners on interpretive displays and park access improvements. - An amendment with the Washington State Department of Health to upgrade the Edison wastewater treatment facility’s ultraviolet disinfection system. - A personal-services agreement with 9 Lives Veterans Services to provide case management and emergency financial assistance for veterans. - A facilities management contract with Copper Mechanical to install climb-proof barriers inside the county jail; commissioners said the project is necessary following incidents of inmates trying to access ceiling cavities and estimated the work will cost in excess of $1 million. - A $474,857 one-year contract with Welcome Home Skagit to operate a drop-in shelter at Salem Lutheran Church, providing food, clothing and connections to outreach specialists and services. - Funding and program implementation support from the Washington State Conservation Commission for a Skagit County Volunteer Stewardship Program focused on riparian care. - Noxious Weed Control Board staffing and outreach at the county fair.
The consent agenda motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motion as carrying unanimously. Separately, the board also cast Skagit County’s ballot for the Washington State Association of Counties’ Board of Natural Resources timber-county representative, voting for Commissioner Randy Johnson of Clallam County; that ballot was filled, signed and scanned to the association as directed.
Commissioners discussed the multi-year timeline and the voluntary nature of the FEMA buyout, thanking staff and the property owner for working through the process. No amendments to consent items were recorded during the meeting.
