Set font size: S  M  L

Home > Council of Governments

Council of Governments

The Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities is governed by the Southwest Washington Council of Governments on Aging and Disabilities.  This Council of Government’s (or COG’s) sole purpose is sponsorship and oversight for the Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities (SWAAD).  Each County within the SWAAD Planning and Service Area is represented on the COG by one elected official, and usually that elected official is a County Commissioner.  Each County represented on the COG has an equal vote in matters concerning the SWAAD.  A regular member of the COG can appoint one alternate, who may attend meetings on behalf of the regular member, however an alternate cannot vote on matters pertaining to the SWAAD budget.

Although the COG consists of representatives from each of the five counties, employees of the SWAAD are not considered county employees, but employees of the COG.  The COG is considered a governmental entity independent of the counties it represents, however its authority can be no greater than the counties themselves.  COGs are established in law in the Interlocal Cooperation Act, RCW 39.34.

  • The COG meets quarterly.  The SWAAD Director is responsible for developing meeting agendas and providing necessary background information to the COG members for either informational-only topics or on topics that may require voting by the members.  The Director is responsible for ensuring that a record of the meetings is maintained. 
  • The COG was formally established by an Interlocal Agreement (PDF), signed by the Boards of County Commissioners from each county.  The COG conducts its business in accordance with their by-laws.  The By-Laws (PDF) cover matters such as election of the Chair and Vice-Chair, quorums, appointment of Advisory Council members, emergency meetings, and several other necessary topics.
  • The COG is not typically involved in daily operations of the SWAAD.  The COG does, however, typically address matters such as allocating services across the counties, major equipment purchases, staff benefit issues, adding or terminating services, selection of Advisory Council members, and legal and liability issues affecting SWAAD.

The County Commissioners from each county who are members of the COG are listed below.  You may contact them for information about COG meeting times and schedules.

  • Cowlitz County Axel Swanson (Chair)  360-577-3020
  • Clark County  Betty Sue Morris   360-397-2232
  • Klickitat County Rex Johnston  509-773-4612
  • Skamania County   Jamie Tolfree 509-427-3700
  • Wahkiakum County  Dan Cothren 360-795-8048

Feedback  |  Contact Us