Commissioner Janicki will retire at the end of the year.





Skagit County





PRESS RELEASE

July 29, 2025




*Contact*

Jenn Rogers, Communications Manager

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360-416-1300






FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki Announces Retirement

         

Commissioner Janicki Headshot

Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki has announced she will retire at the end of 2025 after eleven years of serving as County Commissioner for District 3. Janicki is excited for the opportunity to spend more time with family and her ten grandchildren.

Commissioner Janicki was first elected to the Board of County Commissioners in November of 2014. Prior to running for county office, Commissioner Janicki worked for over thirty years as the Chief Financial Officer for Janicki family businesses, which included oversight of several companies that encompassed forestry, land development, engineering, and composite aerospace manufacturing. She entered public office in January of 2015 with a 100-day mission to kick start her vision advancing Skagit County’s efforts to deliver high quality services to the community and create a unified direction with the organization’s leadership. Her strategic foresight, compassion, and ability to inspire others has been steadfast in her tenure as commissioner.     

“Commissioner Janicki’s business expertise and accounting background have been a huge benefit to Skagit County, ensuring that we are providing the utmost service to our community while being mindful of the resources we have available,” said County Commissioner Ron Wesen. “Skagit County is a better place because of her service.”

Commissioner Janicki dedicated her time as a county commissioner to pursing meaningful collaboration with our partner jurisdictions and community stakeholders, advancing technological improvements county-wide to improve government services, and ensuring decisions were always made with future generations in mind. One of Janicki’s proudest accomplishments includes being a founding member of North Star [ [link removed] ], a collaborative effort between all four city mayors, county commissioners, and service organizations in Skagit County to end homelessness and streamline effective crisis response, recovery, and support services. The North Star initiative is a unique partnership between local jurisdictions and has been successful in securing millions of dollars in funding through the state legislature to support behavioral health services and bringing together the necessary partners and providers to find ways to better support those in crisis. 

Janicki additionally oversaw the development of Martha’s Place, the first permanent supportive housing development in Skagit County, Skagit First Steps Shelter, and the STAR Center [ [link removed] ]. The STAR Center includes the currently operating North Sound Evaluation and Treatment Center, which offers 16-beds for acute inpatient mental health care. The second phase of the STAR Center includes a 48-bed crisis-stabilization center, expected to open in early 2026, which will offer 16 crisis stabilization beds, 16 acute detox beds, and 16 co-occurring treatment beds. Increasing the availability of services for those in need of urgent crisis support has been a primary goal for Commissioner Janicki in conjunction with our local cities and community partners. North Star has provided a fruitful avenue to collaborate on priorities and coordinate funding opportunities to complete these vital projects.

“Commissioner Janicki’s consistent inspirational vision has been a guiding force for the Board to be creative and transformative when considering how to best serve our community,” said Commissioner Peter Browning. “As she always says, ‘inspire the vision and the money will follow.’ Her determination has been the reason we have had many successful projects and initiatives during her term. I am proud to have served alongside her.”

Commissioner Janicki has represented Skagit County on various boards statewide including the Department of Natural Resources Board, the Washington State Association of Counties, County Road Administration Board Executive Committee, and the National Association of Counties Public Lands committee. She additionally has served on community boards such as the United Way of Skagit County, Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, and Gonzaga University’s Board of Regents. 

With the decision to retire before the end of her elected term, there will be a nomination process to select a replacement for Commissioner Janicki. The replacement of a vacant county commissioner position is outlined in RCW 36.32, which states if there is one vacancy on the Board of County Commissioners, then the remaining two commissioners shall fill the vacancy. The Skagit County Democrats will select up to three names for consideration by the Skagit Board of County Commissioners, and then Commissioner Wesen and Commissioner Browning will make a final decision by the end of 2025.



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Skagit County [ [link removed] ]

SKAGIT COUNTY, WASHINGTON

County Commissioners: Lisa Janicki, Peter Browning, Ron Wesen
1800 Continental Place, Suite 100
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

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