City of Poulsbo August E-Newsletter | |
Planning and Economic Development Department Update | |
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What makes Poulsbo unique? This question will elicit many responses, each reflecting a different facet of our beloved city. Some will highlight our picturesque location along the shore of Liberty Bay, while others will speak of our vibrant main street, affectionately dubbed the “Norway of the Pacific Northwest.” Our urban amenities and the variety of festivals we host also add to Poulsbo's charm. However, one aspect I find particularly unique is the abundant vegetation along our major highway, SR305.
There are sections of SR305 where the lush greenery almost completely obscures the adjoining developments, notably much of Poulsbo Village. The retention is largely due to the presence of streams or wetlands and their protective buffers. Specifically, the south fork of Dogfish Creek runs along the west side of SR305 from Lincoln Avenue before crossing east at Bond Road. Additionally, there is an almost 14-acre wetland mitigation site near the Bond Road intersection, close to Betty Iverson-Kiwanis Park.
South Fork Dogfish Creek flows from its headwaters to its confluence with the main stem of Dogfish Creek, passing through the heart of Poulsbo. Over the past hundred years, land management and development have impacted the stream and its surrounding watershed. Historically, the South Fork Dogfish Creek served as the city’s fresh water source, and remnants of the original water intake structures are still visible in Wilderness Park.
The state designates wetlands and streams as “critical areas,” a classification that also includes fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, and geologically hazardous areas. Counties and cities are mandated to develop policies and regulations to protect the functions and values of these critical areas using the best available science (RCW 36.70A.172).
Critical areas ordinances are to be evaluated and revised every ten years, with Poulsbo’s update due by December 2025. In preparation for this update, we have created a new critical area webpage that includes our existing regulations and resources to guide our efforts. I encourage all residents to stay tuned and engaged as we develop our 2025 work plan.
Together, we can ensure that Poulsbo continues to thrive while preserving the natural beauty that makes our city truly unique.
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Engineering and Building Department Update | |
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SR 305 Johnson Parkway Project Wins APWA National Award
After being awarded the American Public Works Association (APWA) Project of the Year Award in April 2024 for the SR 305 Johnson Parkway project, the Engineering Department was notified that the project has also been awarded the APWA National Project of the Year Award! The award was presented in the Transportation category for Small Cities/Rural Communities. The City of Poulsbo completed the $20.5 million project to provide a safe connection between SR 305 and Lincoln Road, while ensuring public safety and promoting regional economic vitality, quality of life, the importance of the environment, and the diversity of citizens through essential public infrastructure. The project included a new multi-lane roundabout, non-motorized tunnel for pedestrians and bicycles, and unique artwork in the center of the roundabout and on the retaining walls. The primary contractor for this project was Active Construction, Inc (ACI) and the primary consultant was Parametrix.
Winners will be honored at an awards reception during the APWA Public Works Expo at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta September 8–11, 2024. For detailed information about this project, please visit our website at https://cityofpoulsbo.com/sr305-johnson-parkway-south-segment-noll-road-construction-project.
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Eliason Building- Construction continues on the century-old Eliason Building at the corner of Front Street and Third Avenue downtown. You may have noticed the facade of the building changing with a 27,266 square foot residential addition and covered parking garage, as well as fresh new blue paint that blends in with the sky and Liberty Bay. New architectural features complement the existing Scandinavian character of downtown. The modernized multi-use commercial and residential building will include luxury apartments, retail shops, office space, and an upscale restaurant, in addition to an outdoor gathering space with a seating area and new lighting. | |
Eliason Building Construction | |
Eliason Building Construction | |
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College Marketplace (CMP) Apartments- The 90 apartment units on Dauntless Dr NW in the Olhava area are well underway. The Certificate of Occupancy was issued for Building D. Building C and the clubhouse are currently underway, with Building B to follow. A dog park will be included on the premises, as well as a playground and picnic area for residents to enjoy.
Winslow Ridge- Adjacent to Vinland Elementary School on Rhododendron Lane, Winslow Ridge will be a new residential community with 86 new one and two-story single-family homes. Permits have just been submitted for the development’s model homes. The new community will include several amenities for the residents to enjoy, including community trails and open space.
NKSD Poulsbo Middle School Addition - Stormwater improvements, along with interior work, are underway for the new addition at the Poulsbo Middle School campus that will connect the main building to the existing lunchroom and gymnasium. The two-story addition, at 17,700 square feet, includes ten new modern STEM classrooms and a new gathering space for students. The project is set to be completed by Fall 2024.
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Poulsbo Middle School Addition | |
New Poulsbo Middle School Classroom | |
Oslo Bay Apartments- Clearing and grading continues to take place at the site of the future Oslo Bay Apartment complex, which will include 468 muti-family residential units on SR 305 and SR 307 at Bond Road. Logs are being cleared from the site and a stormwater detention pond is being constructed. Please check the website at https://cityofpoulsbo.com/oslobayapartments/ for more information and updates as the project progresses. | |
Future Site of Oslo Bay Apartments | |
Finance Department Update | |
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. | |
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Business & Occupation (B&O) Tax Update
Effective July 1, 2024, the City of Poulsbo implemented a B&O tax. This tax will apply to the gross receipts measured on the value of products, proceeds of sales, or gross income of businesses. There will be no deductions for labor, materials, or other costs of doing business.
The City of Poulsbo B&O tax is not the same as Washington state B&O tax and will be filed separately from state taxes.
As a reminder, to do business in the City of Poulsbo the following are required:
- Have an endorsed City of Poulsbo business license, issued by the State of Washington, in good standing.
- File a Washington state excise tax return.
Tax Rate and Exemptions
In 2024, the tax rate for all categories of business is .2%, (.002) and there are two thresholds for exemptions:
Businesses will be exempt from paying the City’s B&O tax if annual gross revenue is less than $20,000. However, B&O tax filings are required, even if there is no balance due. Nonprofit organizations are exempt from paying the City’s B&O tax, but are required to file a return.
A full listing of exemptions may be found in Chapter 3.34 of the Poulsbo Municipal Code (PMC), linked in the Resources section below.
How to Calculate Taxes Owed
The gross revenue earned by a business determines the amount of tax to pay. To calculate this amount, multiply the taxable gross revenue amount by the tax rate.
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Exemption #1 example: The 2024 retail B&O tax rate is 0.002 (.2%). If the business grosses $200,000 of taxable revenue that is not subject to retail sales tax in Poulsbo during 2024, $200,000 is entered as total gross revenue, then deduct the allowed exemption of $20,000 from the gross. The taxable revenue is $180,000 which is multiplied by the tax rate .002, for an annual tax liability of $360.
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Exemption #2 example: Alternatively, if the business grosses $200,000 of taxable revenue that is subject to retail sales tax in Poulsbo during 2024, $200,000 is entered as total gross revenue, then deduct the allowed exemption of $125,000 from the gross. The taxable revenue is $75,000, which is multiplied by the tax rate .002, for an annual tax liability of $150.
Tax Periods
Businesses will be required to submit B&O tax quarterly, unless they do not meet the annual gross revenue amount of $100,000. (This means for retail sales taxable earnings of $225,000 less exemption $125,000 = taxable earnings of $100,000 OR non-retail trade $120,000 less exemption $20,000 = taxable earnings of $100,000). Late returns will be subject to penalties and interest.
*For due dates that will fall on holidays or weekends, returns will be due on the following business day.
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.
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*For due dates that will fall on holidays or weekends, returns will be due on the following business day.
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.
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FileLocal
Poulsbo has joined FileLocal, a non-profit currently consisting of a dozen cities in Washington. FileLocal is an easy to navigate portal, where businesses can sign-up to create a business account and pay B&O taxes.
Poulsbo will be live on FileLocal in mid-September. Businesses will be able to create their accounts, using their state UBI number as the Poulsbo account number.
Payments will be collected through FileLocal after October 1.
Resources
The City plans to continue community outreach in upcoming months.
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Public Works Department Update | |
While driving on Highway 305, you may have noticed that our Public Works crews are working with the Parks and Recreation Department to restore the two historic informational signs along the highway corridor. Josh Jones, our building maintenance technician and all-around handyman, has been collaborating with one of the Public Works seasonal workers, Elanor Murphy. Elanor will be attending an arts college in the fall. They are refreshing the paint on these signs, bringing them back to their original glory days. | |
New artwork has been added to the City of Poulsbo Cemetery: a captivating mural created by artist Catherine Panofsky. The mural is dedicated to Captain Bob Murphy, who served as a Washington State Ferry Captain for many years. | |
The City of Poulsbo is currently hiring. Click here to learn more details about open positions! | |
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Join the Poulsbo Garden
For a year of interesting activities including guest speakers, garden tours, craft projects, lots of playing in the dirt and much more, please join us! Dues are only $20 a year. For more information, please email us at PoulsboGardenClub@gmail.com
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August 10th Meeting Plans
The Poulsbo Garden Club speaker is Mike Winnington, the owner of Salish Tree Nursery. After retiring as director of the Organic and Biochemical Technologies for Corning Research group Mike was able to pursue his passion for horticulture. He will address the growing need for native plant. Mike will be speaking about the native plants of Salish Sea region.
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September 14th Meeting
Dr. David Onstad is a Fellow of the Entomological Society of America will conduct a guided walk and talk. We’ll be learning about insects and their interaction with humans, the environment, and other organisms.
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Getting Back to ‘Yes’
A few months ago, I started a piece about how, when we are young, the analysis to most questions started at “yes,” then evolved from there.
As kids, it goes something like this: “Do you want to come over and play?” “Yes.”
“Should we sleep out in a tent in the backyard?” “Yes.”
As we age, the analysis point changes. For a time, in middle age, it is neutral. We look at the question objectively in making our decision.
Over the years, aches, pains, and bad experiences occur, and we elders tend to start our analysis at “no.” “Do you want to come up for dinner?” “I don’t like to drive in the dark.” “I’d better not. I have been having some stomach issues.” “My car is about out of gas.”
It is a natural - but unfortunate - evolution of thought as we evaluate decisions in our older years. Our status quo - comfort zone – gets, well, comfortable.
I am not immune from this malady of aging and keeping the status quo. I am comfortable with my current family, friends, and social groups. Few of us are not inflicted by a comfortable comfort zone.
An old friend opined that “at the end of our lives we will regret the things we didn’t do more than the things we did.” And he lived his adventurous life consistent with that credo.
This comes up because recently I was invited by a friend to attend an ongoing dinner group. I was flattered, but immediately started my analysis with why I shouldn’t attend. In the end, I decided to take a chance and meet some new people.
While I knew my friend would never invite me to a dinner, he and I were unlikely to enjoy, some minute, innate paranoia (about stepping in this new water) entered my head, and I feared hearing as I entered the dinner venue. “We have a visitor. Light up the branding iron!” or “Welcome, Jeff, to the Take-down-your-pants-and-yodel Society!” or “Have you ever thought of selling hair clips door-to-door. You can’t imagine the opportunity. Let us tell you all about it!”
But I understood that, more likely, I’d meet some nice new people, hear new stories, and, perhaps, tell a story or two myself. So, I went.
The dinner was one of the most interesting, thought-provoking, and memorable I have attended. The group of eight had a wide range of experience and philosophy. No one knew everybody there. The guest of honor was a retired Comparative Religion professor from the Ivy League. His historical perspective on the current battle between Israel and Hamas, on the evolution of organized religion throughout the world, including his vision of the future, were enlightening, and brought forward much discussion and varying views.
The host, a jovial man in his mid-90’s who recently lost his wife of 70 years, left us with these words of wisdom: “Go home tonight, give your wife a kiss, and tell her you love her. When she’s gone, you’ll wish you’d done that more.” Good words from a man of experience.
Accepting the invitation - the new experience - brought me back to starting at ‘yes.’ Now, and for the foreseeable future, if any of my friends ask, “Do you want to come over and play?” or “Should we sleep outside in a tent?” I am much more likely to begin my analysis with “yes.” As most youngsters would.
Copyright Jeff Tolman 2024. All rights reserved.
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Parks and Recreation Department Update | | | | |
