City of Sedro-Woolley to take over operations of Sedro-Woolley Senior Center

SEDRO-WOOLLEY - With the future of the Sedro-Woolley Senior Center somewhat uncertain, the city of Sedro-Woolley has decided to take over operations of the center from Skagit County on Aug. 1.

Despite the decision from the Sedro-Woolley City Council on June 10, the city and county are working to amend the 2026 contract, where the county will continue to pay 60% of the operation costs through the end of the year.

"I just think it's important for us to make a statement, and I think by taking this action we're making a statement that the Sedro-Woolley Senior Center is going to stay and be supported," Mayor JoEllen Kesti said.

With the impending retirement of longtime Sedro-Woolley Senior Center Coordinator Ellen Schweigert, the city had expected the county would simply fill the position with another full-time employee.

That turned out not to be the case as Skagit County continues to deal with budget issues.

"I cannot really put into words how disappointing this whole thing has been from last summer until now," Councilmember Allan Henderson said. "I feel like time is not our friend and it's not on our side and inaction by the county has just absolutely exacerbated this problem.

"I think we owe it to our constituency to basically act now. I want to move forward on this as quickly as possible."

The city was informed by the county that it was not prepared to work on a funding agreement for 2027 at this time, and that it would not do so until the fall.

"So the county, as a partner right now, is kind of struggling," City Administrator Charlie Bush said. "In our conversation with the staff, we felt a sense of relief when we mentioned there was the possibility the city might take this on if that's what we want to do."

The City Council did exactly that on June 10.

"When this first came to us, we said we are not going to let the city of Sedro-Woolley and our constituents worry anymore," Kesti said. "The way that the county was dropping the ball, we were not going to stand for that."

The council decided to assume operations of the Senior Center despite budgetary implications.

The cost this year to operate the Senior Center is $189,193, with the city's share being 40%, or $75,241, and the county paying the rest.

While there is still a possibility the county could continue to provide some funding in 2027, Bush said he doesn't think that is likely.

If that is the case, and operating costs stay the same, the city would be on the hook to pay about another $114,000 in 2027.

"We need to move ahead on this," Councilmember Paul Cocke said. "I've talked to plenty of seniors and they don't like the lack of clarity and the fact that it's all up in the air. I think that the city made an assertive statement that we are moving forward … We hope the county helps us, but we're going to move forward regardless."

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