Mayor Marna Hanneman reflected on some of the challenges and achievements that came for La Conner in 2025 and offered a glimpse into what residents should expect to see this year.
Water is at the top of La Conner’s list of priorities, Hanneman said, with the Town expecting to contribute $500,000 to upgrade the Channel Drive water line, a project estimated to cost $3.5 million. The Town is hoping to supplement this contribution, as well as the neighborhood’s revenue, with state funding.
The Town is also in the preliminary stages of upgrading the wastewater treatment plant, with the Swinomish Tribe and Shelter Bay indicating an interest in collaborating.
Because of a tight budget and small staff, projects such as improvements to First Street’s pipes will be a priority for another year. Still, she added, Town staff are doing their best with the resources available.
A recent addition to the team is Kim Buchanan, who will be temporarily working alongside Finance Director Maria DeGoede before taking over her role once the 23-year Town Hall employee retires in February. With DeGoede’s departure, Hanneman said, the Town is losing many years of “institutional memory.”
The mayor expects the small Public Works team will be particularly vital as the community ages, addressing any safety concerns for both residents and visitors.
While the Town has made some sidewalk safety improvements, it’s an effort that takes time and money, with most of the grants being pursued requiring a 50% match, she said.
When asked to comment on a recent draft report that states La Conner has the highest proportion of serious injuries and deaths at 145% above county average, Hanneman said the findings are “absurd.” She is currently waiting to hear back from the Skagit Council of Governments to understand how the results came to be.
Hanneman, who took office two years ago, said the job comes with daily learning moments, but the threat of record flooding that sent Skagitonians into a panic in December underscored the need for the county and the state to be on the same page in emergency situations.
While state and county officials ordered anyone in the 100-year floodplain to “evacuate immediately,” La Conner instead told residents to “be ready,” issuing a Level 2 alert. In the end, thanks to years of infrastructural improvements, the town did not flood, but many residents were left confused by these conflicting alerts.
Tuesday, Hanneman told La Conner Community News that she initially understood that the Level 3 order to evacuate had come from Skagit County, but found out this week from conversations with county staff that the state actually overrode the county, using 40-year-old flood maps that are in need of an upgrade. Creating new maps, she said, would cost millions of dollars.
“Thank goodness it was a good test to see what worked and what didn’t without having any damage,” the mayor said.
On the bright side, Hanneman shared she is particularly proud of the acquisition of Marine 27, a $400,000 fireboat funded by the Port of Skagit and La Conner — without the town having to take on any debt, she added. The vessel, which had been a need for 30 years and was christened in September, will help firefighters tame the flames on both sides of the buildings on the waterfront.
Moving forward, Hanneman said the Town will continue to collaborate and strengthen relationships with local jurisdictions in Skagit, particularly the neighboring Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.
On the topic of collaboration, she urges community members to be kind to one another, despite the current political division around the country.
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
