Roads on Bainbridge Island

Where are we? Where do we need to go?

Check out the video.

Second Proposed Budget Public Hearing

November 10

The City Council held its first public hearing on the proposed 2027-2028 budget and 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Plan, followed by discussion and consideration of several budget amendments.

During the meeting, Council approved motions to amend the proposed budget, including:

• Affordable Housing: An additional $100,000 to be spent from the Affordable Housing Fund, restricted to uses permitted under Bainbridge Island Municipal Code (BIMC) 3.38.
• Community Services: An additional $75,000 for the biennium, bringing the total General Fund two-year allocation for the community services funding award cycle to $735,000.
• Community Needs Assessment: An additional $125,000 to update the City's Community Needs Assessment, previously done in 2016.
• Senior and Community Center: An additional $100,000 to support completion of the Bainbridge Island Senior and Community Center.

Council also approved removing the 2029 Olympic Drive Park Project from the 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Plan and reallocating $15,000 within the General Fund to address high residential water consumption. Council additionally considered a recommendation related to beneficial reuse of wastewater.

What's Next?

The final public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10. Council will continue its discussion, with adoption of the 2027–2028 Biennial Budget planned following deliberations.

Final Adoption Of Comprehensive Plan And Winslow Subarea Plan Update

Public Hearing To Be Scheduled On November 10

During the November 10 Council Meeting, Council will review the Final Draft Comprehensive Plan & Winslow Subarea Plan and regulations for implementing these plans. Following this review, Council may schedule Public Hearings for these items as early as November 24.

Winslow Way/SR 305 Right Turn Lane Change Coming!

Right-Turn Lane On Winslow Way Near Ferry Terminal To Be Removed

The City has received a permit from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to remove the motor vehicle right-turn lane on Winslow Way near the ferry terminal. The change is intended to reduce ferry line cutting and confusion for drivers navigating the area. This project also includes a separate bicycle lane and bike box at the intersection for added safety.

Work will commence November 16 and will be completed during evening/nighttime hours between 7:30 PM and 5:00 AM. All eastbound lanes of Winslow Way will be closed during this time. Weather permitting, the work should be completed in four nights, but some of the eastbound Winslow Way lanes may need to close for a few mid-day hours.

Solarize Bainbridge Island Campaign Celebrates Success!

More Than 70 Solar Systems Installed

The City, in partnership with Olympia Community Solar, is celebrating the success of the 2026 Solarize Bainbridge Island campaign, which helped make solar energy more accessible and affordable for local residents and businesses.

The campaign saw an impressive response from the community, with more than 70 solar systems installed, representing nearly 1 megawatt

(MW) of solar generating capacity!

Community participation was equally impressive:

• 400+ people signed up for the program.
• 300+ people attended one of four educational workshops.
• 300+ people received a free solar assessment.

Through a group purchasing model, participants gained access to vetted local installers, discounted pricing, educational resources and financing options, making the transition to solar easier and more affordable.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped move Bainbridge Island toward a more sustainable, energy-resilient future!

Although enrollment in the 2026 campaign has closed, community members are encouraged to continue exploring solar energy opportunities and learning about the benefits of renewable energy.

It Takes a Village to Help Salmon Swim Home

City And Scouts Make Way For Springbrook Creek Salmon

Last week City staff worked alongside Scouts from local troop 1565 to help salmon make the final leg of the long journey to their spawning grounds.

The culvert fish encounter while swimming upstream on Springbrook Creek includes a fish ladder to help them pass through the culvert beneath Fletcher Bay Road. However, this fish ladder is aging and needs additional support until the City can replace it.

Since 2017, the City, along with other agencies, organizations, and volunteers, has conducted annual repairs to improve fish passage under Fletcher Bay Road during salmon migration season. Most of the prime spawning habitat lies upstream of this structure. These repairs typically involve moving accumulated sediment into sandbags and building two small temporary weirs below the lowest concrete weir in the fish ladder.

Way to go Troop 1565!

Increase In Vehicle Prowls

Simple Steps To Protect Your Property

The Bainbridge Island Police Department has seen an increase in vehicle prowls this year, with 16 reported incidents compared to eight last year. Seven of those occurred in October, including four near the ferry terminal. In several cases, windows were broken to access valuables left in plain sight.

While motor vehicle thefts have not increased, they remain a concern. Through October, 11 vehicles have been reported stolen, compared to 14 during all of 2025.

This is a good reminder to take a few simple steps to protect your property:

• Lock your vehicle, even when parked at home.
• Never leave keys or key fobs inside your vehicle.
• Remove valuables and avoid leaving belongings in plain sight.
• Lock your home and garage doors, even when you're home.
• Report suspicious activity to police.

Overall, Bainbridge Island is a very safe community, but we are not immune to theft. A few simple precautions can help prevent theft and keep our community safe.

Civic and Community Events

City of Bainbridge Island events can be found on our website.

Additional community events:

• Visit Bainbridge Island Guide - web app, no download needed!
• Arts & Humanities Bainbridge

Event Highlights

The Color Of Redlining

November 7

Holiday Closures

City Facilities will be closed Wednesday next week (Nov 11) in observance of Veterans Day, as well as November 26-27 for Thanksgiving. Essential services remain operational.

Shop Small Saturday And Illuminate Bainbridge!

November 28

Shop Small Saturday is just around the corner on November 28, and it’s the perfect day to support the independent shops, artisans, and restaurants that make Bainbridge Island wonderfully original.

This year, the City Council will officially proclaim November 28 as Small Business Saturday recognizing the essential role local businesses play in our economy and community identity.

When you shop local:

• 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local economy.
• Shopping at locally owned businesses helps circulate money through the community as businesses purchase goods and services, pay employees and reinvest locally.

So, visit our local shops and support the heart of our island economy! Then join us in Town Square at 6p.m. for Illuminate Bainbridge!

Celebrate the festive winter season with live performances, sparkling lights, “Sweets with the Squad” from the Bainbridge Island Police Department, and the lighting of the community tree and candles. Rain or shine, come celebrate the season on Saturday, November 28 at 6 p.m. in Town Square by City Hall.

AND enjoy a festively decorated Winslow Way this year, with more lights than ever before, filling downtown with the warm glow and twinkle of the season.

All presented by the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association and the City of Bainbridge Island.

Hometown Halloween Fun Recap!

Enjoy the 2026 Bainbridge Island Hometown Halloween recap! This beloved community tradition is brought to the island by the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association and co-sponsored by the City. Ghosts and ghouls stroll downtown Winslow showing off their costumes and gathering sweet treats. Boo!

Check out this year's Hometown Halloween Highlights!:

Councilmembers from left to right:

Ashley Mathews (South Ward - District 6), Clarence Moriwaki (Central Ward - District 5),

Lara Lant (North Ward - District 7), Kirsten Hytopoulos (At Large - District 1),

Mike Nelson (South Ward - District 3), Brenda Fantroy-Johnson (North Ward - District 2), Leslie Schneider (Central Ward - District 4)

Council Meetings

Ways to Watch

• In-person at the City Hall, City Council Chambers 6:00pm
• Zoom
• City website livestream (visit the Agendas & Minutes page, then click on "Live" when the meeting starts)
• BKAT (Channel 12 on Comcast & Channel 3 on WAVE)

Please visit the City Council page for more information on individual City Council members.

For emergency text alert notifications for Bainbridge Island via Nixle:

Text 98110 to 888777.

Subscribe HERE to City Highlight: Updates from City Hall