City of Poulsbo April E-Newsletter | | |
City Administrator's Vennlig Hilsener
By Rob Gelder
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The clocks have changed, spring has sprung, and City of Poulsbo staff are buzzing on multiple fronts.
One backbone of any local government is the election of Council members and the Mayor. Together, they are the legislative and executive branches of our City respectively. If you’ve ever wondered what it means to hold an elected office or the election process itself, we are hosting a great informational session in April. If serving as an elected official is not of interest, we have several volunteer opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
The City’s comprehensive plan is continuing its progress. We have information about the selection of the
preferred growth alternative that is proceeding for final analysis and adoption before early summer.
The City Council just approved a plan to move forward with addressing parking capacity in the
downtown core in order to support local businesses and residents alike. The vibrancy of downtown is
dependent on the availability and turnover in parking spaces so individuals near and far can experience
all that Poulsbo has to offer.
With a new fire station starting in West Poulsbo, and new parks to soon be dedicated, there is
something for everyone in the newsletter this month.
Thanks for the read!
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So you want to be an elected official?
How to Get Involved in Local Government
April 12, 2025
9:00am - 10:30am
Poulsbo City Hall, Council Chambers, 200 NE Moe Street
Interested in running for office?
Come and learn the information you need to get started:
- Kitsap County Elections Staff to provide an overview of eligibility and candidate filing guidelines
- Panel discussion of local officials (Poulsbo City Councilmembers, Poulsbo Mayor, and NK School District Director)
- Q & A session
Hosted by the City of Poulsbo
Questions? Contact the Clerks Office at (360) 394-9880
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Volunteer Vacancies. Poulsbo's Parks and Recreation Committee, Poulsbo's Tree Board, and Poulsbo's Civil Service Commission all have vacancies. If you are interested in serving on any of these commissions, please consider applying today.
Please use the volunteer application found at Boards and Commission Volunteer Application. Applications can be emailed to cityclerks@cityofpoulsbo.com or turned into the City Clerk's Office at 200 NE Moe Street. Please call (360) 394-9880 with questions.
| | Planning and Economic Development Department Update | | |
Poulsbo 2044 Is in Focus
On March 11, the Planning Commission hosted their final joint Comprehensive Plan update meeting with the city council. The purpose of this meeting was to select a preferred growth alternative for the next 20 years. This important milestone provided the necessary guidance for the City of Poulsbo staff to complete the final steps before proceeding with the adoption process of our Comprehensive Plan, 6 years in the making.
Staff kicked off the meeting with a presentation on the four growth alternatives and provided a summary of the six comment letters received during our one-month comment period. Following the presentation, staff requested the commission and council take their vote to action by standing before their preferred growth alternative which was spread to the four corners of the room.
The overwhelming majority of council and commissioners present stood before alternative 4, which would implement the vision of increasing missing middle housing in our residential zones, furthered by increasing the density in the Residential Medium (RM) and Residential High (RH) zoning districts, and to continue supporting focused growth by increasing residential capacity in our SR305 corridor. Alternative 3, which eliminated the RM and RH density increase, received one vote of support and no votes supported Alternative 1 (no change) or Alternative 2 (‘missing middle housing’ focus only).
| | Next Steps: Staff will seek commission input on land development regulations that implement alternative 4 at the March 25th and April 8th planning commission. The Comprehensive Plan is set to be released on Friday, April 11. | |
City Council Gives a Green Light to the Timing of Downtown Parking Improvements
On March 19, 2025, the Poulsbo City Council adopted a resolution confirming the phased implementation of downtown parking improvements. The plan includes improved signage, employee parking, and enforcement in 2025, followed by the introduction of paid parking in the summer of 2026. This decision came after two years of discussions, the formation of a Downtown Parking Advisory Committee, and studies conducted by expert parking consultants Walker, as well as insights from the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association (HDPA). Additionally, nearly 20 years of previous parking studies and reports helped inform this policy decision.
The resolution provides staff with the green light to move forward with implementation, beginning this summer. Staff has worked closely with the HDPA, which hosted city representatives at two meetings this year and distributed a survey to assess employee parking needs. The city acknowledges and appreciates HDPA’s involvement, particularly the leadership of its new president, Denver Smyth, in addressing the impacts of parking on business owners, employees, visitors, and residents.
The goal of the phased parking strategy is to support local businesses by increasing parking availability for Poulsbo’s growing residential and customer base. The current parking capacity remains flat, and by designating employee parking, enforcing existing regulations, and eventually implementing paid parking, it is expected that employees will utilize designated areas, freeing up spaces for customers and visitors. The City Council has also committed to using revenue from paid parking to secure additional parking solutions in the future.
To learn more about Downtown Parking studies and recent actions, check the following webpages:
| | Next Steps: Staff will seek commission input on land development regulations that implement alternative 4 at the March 25th and April 8th planning commission. The Comprehensive Plan is set to be released on Friday, April 11. | | Engineering and Building Department Update | | Poulsbo Fire Station #76- Clearing and grading have been underway at the site of the new Poulsbo Fire Station located at 19145 Viking Avenue and the lot is rapidly changing. A new 6,700 square foot satellite fire station will be built to help better serve the Poulsbo community, particularly the west side of the city and the Scandia/Keyport area. The estimated project completion date is scheduled for fall 2025. | | Rotary Morrow Park- The grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the new facilities at Rotary Morrow Park, located at the corner of Noll Road and Mesford Street, is set to take place on Saturday, April 19 at 12:00 pm. This community park has a new swing set, slide, and play area that were installed by dozens of volunteers over the past few months. Short trails throughout the trees, and the addition of picnic tables and benches complete the park. The park was named for Ardis Morrow, a long-time Rotarian, who has tirelessly advocated for women and children. A bronze statue of Morrow's deceased great-grandnephew, Eli Creekmore, will be re-installed at the park in his memory. | | Raab Park Play-for-All- The Play-for-All playground at Raab Park is nearly complete. A community ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the new playground is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 10 at 10:00 am. The new playground includes fully inclusive ADA-accessible play equipment and sensory stations, with a wheelchair-friendly merry-go-round, wheelchair-accessible swing, inclusive teeter totter, and swing seats, among other new stations. There are donor plaques imbedded in the concrete walkway and the landscaped areas contain numerous trees, plants, and flowering bulbs. Benches and concrete seat walls provide sitting areas. | | Noll Road Corridor Improvements Project - The City accepted bids for the Noll Road Corridor Improvements - North Segment and Middle Segment Safe Routes to School project on February 12, and selected SCI Infrastructure LLC, as the lowest bidder at $8,614,707. This phase of the project will provide roadway, illumination, sidewalk, and shared-use path improvements between Noll Road NE and NE Bjorn Street; sidewalk improvements at Poulsbo Elementary School; a roundabout at the intersection of NE Mesford Road and Noll Road NE; and roadway, sidewalk, and shared-use path improvements between NE Mesford Road and NE Lincoln Road. Construction is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026. Traffic impacts will include traffic delays near the intersections of Noll Road and Mesford Road, and Maranatha Lane and Lincoln Road. An announcement will be forthcoming soon regarding a community outreach event that will take place to discuss the project and impacts to the community. | | ADA Ramp Replacement Project- The Complete Streets Curb Ramp Upgrades Project will be wrapping up at the end of April. The construction or retrofit of 32 curb ramps was prioritized throughout the City, based on proximity to schools, public services, public transportation hubs, and commercial areas, and they align with the City’s 2021 Adopted ADA Transition Plan. The City was awarded $600,000 from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) to bring the curb ramps up to ADA compliance. This project will be completed ahead of schedule by Asphalt Patch Systems. We would like to thank the community for their patience during construction. | | West Poulsbo Stormwater Retrofit Project- The West Poulsbo Stormwater Retrofit project will be beginning next month in Nelson Park. A small portion of the park and parking lot will be closed during construction, however the majority of the park will remain open to the public. Look out for future updates as this project gets underway! | | Finance Department Update | | |
Seasonal Averaging for Sewer Billing
The sewer portion of your utility bill is based on your metered water. For residential accounts, the City recognizes there will be outdoor irrigation in the summer and the water used may not flow into the City’s sewer system. Because of this, we take the winter (November to May) monthly average of water usage and apply this “Seasonal Averaging” when calculating the sewer portion of your bill from June to October.
Seasonal Averaging creates a significant savings on the sewer portion of the utility bill for many residents who increase their water usage in the summer! Seasonal Averaging applies to sewer only, so you will still be billed for all actual water usage.
If possible, plan to start sprinkling your beautiful spring flowerpots or newly planted vegetable garden after mid-May; Memorial Day is an easy date to link to the start of your watering! Keep in mind to end outdoor irrigation in mid-October; Leif Erikson Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day are helpful dates to help you remember to end summer water use.
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Reduced Rates
Eligibility information and application forms for the Low-Income Senior and Disabled Reduced Rate Utility Program are available online at: https://cityofpoulsbo.com/utility-billing/. For further assistance, contact the Finance Department at 360-394-9881.
| | Utility Billing Auto-Payment. The City offers auto-pay as an option to pay your utility bill. Have your payment automatically deducted from your bank account on the 20th of every month. Click here for additional details and an application. If you’d like an application mailed to you, please contact the Finance Department at (360) 394-9881. | | |
Business & Occupation (B&O) Taxes
B&O tax on gross receipts collected between January 1 – March 31, 2025, are due April 30, 2025. All businesses are allowed a deduction. Please read the Quick Facts below to understand which deduction/exemption to take:
Quick Facts
- City B&O tax is separate and has different guidelines and exemptions than Washington State B&O Tax.
- Businesses will be exempt from paying the City’s B&O tax if annual gross revenue generated in Poulsbo is less than $20,000, however a zero return tax form is required to be submitted annually (due January 31).
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Businesses who gross over $100,000 revenue generated in Poulsbo annually will submit B&O tax quarterly, businesses who gross under $100,000 annually will submit B&O tax annually (due January 31).
- Quarterly filing dates will be:
o January 1 – March 31 due April 30
o April 1 – June 30 due July 31
o July 1- September 30 due October 31
o October 1 – December 31 due January 31
- Non-profit organizations are exempt from paying the City’s B&O tax but are required to file an annual zero return by January 31. However, if a non-profit sells merchandise, collects retail sales tax, remits tax to the state, then that income is B&O taxable.
- The tax rate for all classifications of business is .2%, (.002) and there are two thresholds for exemptions:
o Exemption 1: The first $20,000 of taxable gross revenue earned annually (or $5,000 per
quarter) that is not subject to retail sales tax is exempt from the Poulsbo B&O tax via
the Wholesale, Manufacturing and Services & Other classifications.
o Exemption 2: The first $125,000 of taxable gross revenue earned annually (or $31,250
per quarter) that is subject to retail sales tax is exempt from the Poulsbo B&O tax via
the Retail and Retail Services classification. If your business does not remit sales tax
back to the state, you cannot claim this exemption.
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Our B&O/Multipurpose tax form is for a variety of businesses – do not file utility taxes unless you work for a utility business.
Penalties will begin in 2025. If taxes are not submitted on time (postmarked, received via FileLocal, a city drop box or email on April 30), penalties will be assessed. Penalties are as follows:
- The minimum penalty is $5.00
- The penalty assessed the first overdue month is 9% on the tax liability.
- The penalty assessed the second overdue month is 19% on the tax liability.
- The penalty assessed the third overdue month is 29% on the tax liability.
B&O Tax Classifications
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Retail/Retail Service – Retailing businesses sell tangible personal property at retail to the end user or operate in the activity of stalling, repairing, cleaning, altering, imprinting, improving, constructing, or decorating real or personal property for customers. Retail Service includes the sale of or charge made for personal, business, and some professional services. This classification also includes income generated from interest, rents, and other services. This is the only classification where a business can take Exemption 2 ($31,250.00 per quarter).
o Example 1: A store located on Front Street selling clothing or other items.
o Example 2: Rental of tangible personal property.
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Wholesaling – Wholesalers sell goods and services to businesses who resell them in the regular course of business to customers.
o Example 1: A food distribution company selling produce to markets, supermarkets, and
other food distributors.
o Example 2: A sub-contractor working on a construction site.
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Manufacturing – Manufacturing businesses produce a new, different or useful substance, or article of tangible personal property from raw materials by applying labor or mechanical services.
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Service & Other (Apportioned) – This classification is for businesses that provide personal and professional services. This is also a catch-all category for businesses not subject to another B&O tax classification.
o Examples: Lawyers, doctors, financial institutions, real estate brokers, accountants, janitors, and tutors.
o Note: If your business operates in multiple jurisdictions, you will need to apportion and file as Service & Other (Apportioned); please see PMC 3.34.070.
MAKING A PAYMENT
Per Revised Code of Washington 82.32.080 and Poulsbo Municipal Code 3.34.130, payment must accompany the tax return to be deemed received.
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FileLocal: The preferred method for filing and paying Poulsbo B&O tax. https://www.filelocal-wa.gov/
- Drop Box: Drop off completed form and payment either in the drive-up drop box located on 3rd Avenue or the walk-up drop box located at the top of the stairs just outside of the main entrance to City Hall located off Moe Street. These boxes are checked daily for payments.
- In Person: Pay in person at Poulsbo City Hall with the 3rd Floor Cashier during City Hall Hours: Monday – Friday (8:00am – 4:30pm), excluding holidays. Please note the front counter is closed each weekday from 12:15pm – 1:15pm for lunch.
- Mail: Completed form and payment may be mailed to: City of Poulsbo – Cashier, 200 NE Moe St, Poulsbo, WA 98370. Ensure it is postmarked no later than the due date to avoid penalties.
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Online: www.cityofpoulsbo.com, click on Pay A City Bill, click on Other City Services Payment and our payment portal will open, under the Payment Type – choose B and O Tax, under Account Number or Reference - enter your UBI number and fill out the balance of information to complete your payment. Email your completed B&O tax form to: tax@cityofpoulsbo.com
Questions? Send an email to tax@cityofpoulsbo.com
For more information, please view our B&O Tax webpage at: https://cityofpoulsbo.com/b-and-o-tax/
| | Kitsap County Public Works will host a free Styrofoam collection event on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 10 AM to 3 PM. The event will take place at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds, specifically at the Sheep Barn and Van Zee Building, located at 1200 Fairgrounds Rd NW. Please refer to the event link for a flyer with additional details. Styrofoam Collection Event scheduled for April 19, 2025 | Public Works has supported project contractors in developing the new Morrow Rotary Park. This beautiful park features a delightful playground, as well as tables and benches nestled among the trees. Morrow Rotary Park is scheduled to open on April 19th. Pictured from left to right are Jack Golden from the Parks Department, Hayden Starr from the Parks Department, Rick Hoskins from the Sewer Department, and Mayor Erickson. | | The City of Poulsbo is currently hiring. Click here to learn more details about open positions! | | Parks and Recreation Department Update | | |
Poulsbo Garden Club May 3 PLANT SALE
Saturday, May 3rd, from 9 to 1 at Raab Park Pavilion in rain or shine. Many WONDERFUL plants and crafts will be for sale. Please visit Raab Park on Caldart in Poulsbo. A wide variety of plants for sun, shade and home and unique garden art and crafts are featured at VERY reasonable prices. Money raised goes to fund gardening grants for local organizations! Don't miss out -- see you there!
Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.
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