Skagit County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Sept. 29 voted to proceed with notifying the Northwest Regional Council that the county intends to transition its senior meal program to a nonprofit provider, giving roughly nine months for a handoff and community outreach.

County Deputy Administrator and interim Public Health Director Jennifer Johnson told the board the county’s projected 2026 general fund need for senior services would approach $1.8 million and that sustaining the current county-run meal model would force reductions “to a level that is really concerning.” She said the county’s proposal is to give notice so Northwest Regional Council can conduct a request-for-proposal process and the county and community can work with prospective nonprofit hosts.

The commissioners framed the move as an effort to preserve meal service while reducing the county’s operating costs. Johnson said nonprofit providers generally have lower overhead, greater fundraising flexibility and more staffing flexibility, allowing them to provide more meals than the county could maintain under the current budget constraints. She asked the board to approve giving notice to Northwest Regional Council and targeting an effective transition date of July 1.

Public comment at a special session was largely opposed to an abrupt transition. Multiple speakers, including longtime local volunteers and senior-center participants, urged the board to slow the process, form a broader task force and explore alternatives such as local fundraising or shared models with cities and non‑profits. John Smith (speaker registered as public commenter) said, “You ought not to try to balance your budget on the backs of seniors and the senior meal program.” Jeri (Jerry) Douglas and Doris Brevoort also urged more public input and warned that frozen meals and reduced congregate options would harm seniors who rely on hot meals and social contact.

Commissioners said the intent of the notice is to allow a “warm handoff” with community outreach, technical assistance and time to identify nonprofit applicants that could preserve congregate and home-delivered hot meals. Commissioner Browning emphasized that Northwest Regional Council provides oversight and that a new host would be monitored according to state and federal requirements.

No contract award or immediate service reductions were approved at the meeting; the board treated the item as a discussion and public comment session and directed staff to proceed with the notice and coordinated transition steps. The county plans further outreach and public opportunities as the handoff progresses.

"So today, I am asking for approval to be able to provide notice to Northwest Regional Council that we wish to transition the program to a community nonprofit provider effective July 1," Jennifer Johnson told the commissioners. She added the goal is to sustain the program and maximize the number of meals available to seniors in the county.

The board did not adopt a final agreement at the Sept. 29 meeting; commissioners said a future meeting will include any formal contract or consent item to approve the transition and to record any related county funding decisions.