Critical Infrastructure

Desired Outcome: The county's critical building, road, and technology infrastructure is updated and/or given redundancy to reliably promote access, safety, sustainability, and operational efficiencies.

Critical Infrastructure

Desired Outcome: The county's critical building, road, and technology infrastructure is updated and/or given redundancy to reliably promote access, safety, sustainability, and operational efficiencies.

On Target Caution Below Plan No Target

Goal and Definition

2.1 - Provide and protect County infrastructure for to support resiliency, sustainability, and wellbeing services for County residents

Effective management of traditional infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and transportation services; County-owned facilities and buildings; and technology infrastructure such as networks and software where a failure would have a widespread impact on multiple or essential County services.

How we’re getting there	What we’re watching
Maximize service life and efficiencies of existing infrastructure while managing risk to reduce operational costs and impacts. Requires long range planning to identify anticipated shortfalls, available options, and best course of action to meet County goals. Public Works maintains data on their infrastructure with no serious concerns beyond the increasing median age of County bridges. Administrative office space requirements have historically been addressed through leases and small space gains that have divided department staff. The Law & Justice departments have the greatest space and security requirements with state mandates that cannot be effectively addressed in the County’s existing buildings. Supporting initiatives include: - Planning for a new courthouse and Sheriff Office - Planning for relocation and more rehabilitative Juvenile Detention facility	2.1.a. Administrative office space 2.1.b. Road Pavement Condition Ratings 2.1.c. Bridge Condition Ratings 2.1.d Transfer Station Operations (Tons / Day)

How we’re getting there

What we’re watching

Maximize service life and efficiencies of existing infrastructure while managing risk to reduce operational costs and impacts. Requires long range planning to identify anticipated shortfalls, available options, and best course of action to meet County goals. Public Works maintains data on their infrastructure with no serious concerns beyond the increasing median age of County bridges. Administrative office space requirements have historically been addressed through leases and small space gains that have divided department staff. The Law & Justice departments have the greatest space and security requirements with state mandates that cannot be effectively addressed in the County’s existing buildings.

Supporting initiatives include:

- Planning for a new courthouse and Sheriff Office

- Planning for relocation and more rehabilitative Juvenile Detention facility

2.1.a. Administrative office space

2.1.b. Road Pavement Condition Ratings

2.1.c. Bridge Condition Ratings

2.1.d Transfer Station Operations (Tons / Day)

Maximize service life and efficiencies of existing infrastructure while managing risk to reduce operational costs and impacts. Requires long range planning to identify anticipated shortfalls, available options, and best course of action to meet County goals. Public Works maintains data on their infrastructure with no serious concerns beyond the increasing median age of County bridges. Administrative office space requirements have historically been addressed through leases and small space gains that have divided department staff. The Law & Justice departments have the greatest space and security requirements with state mandates that cannot be effectively addressed in the County’s existing buildings.

Supporting initiatives include:

- Planning for a new courthouse and Sheriff Office

- Planning for relocation and more rehabilitative Juvenile Detention facility

2.1.a. Administrative office space

2.1.b. Road Pavement Condition Ratings

2.1.c. Bridge Condition Ratings

2.1.d Transfer Station Operations (Tons / Day)

2.2 - Ensure accessible and safe county facilities.

Maintain awareness of safety and accessibility deficiencies in County facilities.

How we're getting there	What we're watching
Using a safety consultant to assess all buildings to identify exposure to physical risks and safety hazards in multi-year project. Categorized over 950 ADA deficiencies in four priority groups during 2024 for the County buildings located in Mount Vernon. Estimated cost to correct is over $1.5M, so retrofits toward compliance will be completed in priority order over the next 10-15 years.	2.2.a. L&I claims 2.2.b. ADA complaints

Using a safety consultant to assess all buildings to identify exposure to physical risks and safety hazards in multi-year project. Categorized over 950 ADA deficiencies in four priority groups during 2024 for the County buildings located in Mount Vernon. Estimated cost to correct is over $1.5M, so retrofits toward compliance will be completed in priority order over the next 10-15 years.

2.2.a. L&I claims

2.2.b. ADA complaints

2.3 - Protect, enhance, and provide stewardship of our information technology assets.

Information technology systems support essential public services, safeguard sensitive resident data, and ensure efficient government operations. Reliable and secure technology helps prevent data breaches, service disruptions, and financial losses while allowing county departments to serve the community effectively. By investing in and responsibly managing IT assets, a county can improve transparency, increase operational efficiency, adapt to changing needs, and maintain public trust in government services.

How we're getting there	What we're watching
The County is advancing a coordinated effort to protect, enhance, and responsibly steward its information technology assets by strengthening security, reliability, and governance across all systems. This work focuses on ensuring data and services are resilient and compliant, improving operational continuity through proactive maintenance and planning, and managing technology investments transparently throughout their lifecycle. At the same time, technology is being leveraged to improve service delivery, streamline workflows, and support appropriate information sharing, while remaining accessible to both staff and the public. Through workforce training, standardized processes, scalable solutions, and clear accountability, the County is building a sustainable IT environment that aligns with priorities, maximizes public value, and supports long-term operational effectiveness.	2.3.a. Critical technology replacement

How we're getting there

What we're watching

The County is advancing a coordinated effort to protect, enhance, and responsibly steward its information technology assets by strengthening security, reliability, and governance across all systems. This work focuses on ensuring data and services are resilient and compliant, improving operational continuity through proactive maintenance and planning, and managing technology investments transparently throughout their lifecycle. At the same time, technology is being leveraged to improve service delivery, streamline workflows, and support appropriate information sharing, while remaining accessible to both staff and the public. Through workforce training, standardized processes, scalable solutions, and clear accountability, the County is building a sustainable IT environment that aligns with priorities, maximizes public value, and supports long-term operational effectiveness.

2.3.a. Critical technology replacement

The County is advancing a coordinated effort to protect, enhance, and responsibly steward its information technology assets by strengthening security, reliability, and governance across all systems. This work focuses on ensuring data and services are resilient and compliant, improving operational continuity through proactive maintenance and planning, and managing technology investments transparently throughout their lifecycle. At the same time, technology is being leveraged to improve service delivery, streamline workflows, and support appropriate information sharing, while remaining accessible to both staff and the public. Through workforce training, standardized processes, scalable solutions, and clear accountability, the County is building a sustainable IT environment that aligns with priorities, maximizes public value, and supports long-term operational effectiveness.

2.3.a. Critical technology replacement

For more information on the Skagit County Strategic Plan, please contact:
Jenn Rogers, Communications Manager
[email protected]
(360)-416-1300