City Hall Closures

City of Poulsbo Holiday Hours. Please plan accordingly so that we may best serve you:

Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 19, 2026

A Message from Mayor Ed Stern

A new year, a new mayor, but not such a new face! Most of you know me, or at least know of me - and likewise, I know most of you, but I will start the year getting to know you all a lot better - - after all, we as a Team have the next four years together!

Notice I didn’t add to the first sentence ‘a new administration’, too. That’s because our city council (where I have been for the last 28 years) over largely the last 20 years methodically, carefully and exhaustively designed the new city administrator position and role to provide the continuity, predictability and professionalism to the operation of our City - - separate from the outcome of elections, and other potential sudden twists and turns that can disrupt our City operations. That was in essence the idea, and we together will bring that idea to reality, as was already implemented in 2025. Thank you, Rob Gelder, for a fabulous start!

As our city advances into the 21st century, let us all work together to continue to make our ‘Little Norway’ the thriving, charming and collegial community we all love and know. You have my pledge to work alongside each and every one of you to see to it we achieve just that over the next four years.

Please see Special Edition Mayor Elect Ed Stern: A Long View of Poulsbo (Dec. 2025)

Erickson’s Tenure Marked by Stability, Long-Range Planning 



Mayor Becky Erickson will conclude sixteen years of service as Poulsbo’s mayor at the end of the year, closing a chapter that spanned one of the most transformative periods in the City’s modern history. First elected mayor in 2010 after serving on the City Council, Erickson became the longest-serving mayor since Poulsbo’s incorporation in 1908. 

She assumed office following a period of short mayoral tenures and at a time when Poulsbo was facing mounting growth pressures. Downtown storefronts were vacant, infrastructure demands were rising, and the City was preparing for significant change. Erickson’s administration emphasized continuity and long-range planning as Poulsbo’s population grew by more than 40 percent during her time in office.

A central focus of her leadership was a smart-growth approach that linked development to infrastructure capacity and community character. The City adopted impact fee models to ensure growth paid for its share of public facilities, while downtown revitalization efforts strengthened Poulsbo’s identity and restored vitality to the historic waterfront district. 

Through regional leadership roles, including serving as President on the Puget Sound Regional Council, Erickson helped secure transportation investments for key corridors such as Highway 305 and Lincoln and Johnson Roads, improving traffic flow and safety and established a housing and human services department. 

Her final years as mayor were shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than step away during the crisis, Erickson chose to extend her service, citing the importance of leadership continuity. By that time, Poulsbo had expanded its park system from sixteen to twenty-six parks, providing critical outdoor space for residents during a period of restricted indoor activity. 

“Citizens expect their local government to be prepared for what comes next,” Erickson said. “Poulsbo is a remarkable town, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served it.” 

See the full story Special Edition Mayor Becky Erickson: 18-years of public service and legacy (Dec. 2025)

City Administrator's Vennlig Hilsener

By Rob Gelder

January always ushers in new beginnings, but also continuity from all the good work that has come before it. January 1^st welcomes a new Mayor for the City, although new might be more of a relative term this time around. Mayor Stern brings 28 years of Poulsbo City Council experience with him and has the institutional knowledge that can be invaluable when navigating matters before the City. 

Two things of note in this month's newsletter: Please take the time to complete the survey about solid waste services as that will help us structure a request for proposals to solid waste collection companies this year. And if you're interested in the topic of housing affordability, please tune into the series of workshops with the City Council that our Planning staff have curated starting on January 7th. You can attend in person, view live on BKAT or see the video online at your convenience. 

Thanks for your involvement and engagement, and have a wonderful start to your 2026!

Housing, Health and Human Services Department Update

Happy Holidays from Housing, Health and Human Services

As we come to the close of the year, we are honored to share a reflection from former Poulsbo Judge Jeff Tolman, who has found new purpose in retirement through volunteering at the City's Recovery Café. Judge Tolman writes about how serving Tuesday lunches gives him fresh perspective—reminding him of life’s blessings, the challenges faced by those in recovery, and the strength found in community. We've read the Judge's thoughts in the Municipal Court section of the city newsletter for years, and are honored to feature him, this month, as a part of our work in "H3."

Through my years as Poulsbo Municipal Court judge, I had come to know some of my Tuesday lunch members. Some for years. My initial introduction was “This is our new Tuesday volunteer, Jeff. He’s the first judge who ever threw me in jail, and because I hated it and learned my lesson, he is the last judge who ever threw me in jail.”

One member asked, as I was serving him a tasty minestrone soup, “Did you throw me in jail five or six times? I replied, “Six, I think. How many of those did you deserve?” He smiled, winked and responded, “Every one of them.”

Tuesday lunches have been a great blessing for me. I get an often-needed recalibration about things in my life I take for granted. One member had an interview to see if he would live in a new abode. The interview result may be the difference between him living in an apartment or in his car. Thinking about his potential, different life courses, my ten-foot golf putt or what I was cooking for dinner didn’t seem important - or stressful.

I have very much enjoyed seeing the community among the members. Frequently they will congratulate each other on a positive step in life or a clean-and-sober mark met. Recently a member got into a carpenter apprentice program. Another is taking steps to enter Olympic College. Eleanor Roosevelt once opined that “comparison is the killer of joy.” Seeing communities grow, without comparison or jealousy, is a lesson we all need to be reminded of weekly.

Years ago, one of my best friends was dying of lung cancer. I knew him well enough - and we were open enough – for me to ask him how it felt to be dying. He replied, “Throughout your life you are told ‘we are all in this life together.’ When you’re moving toward the end it feels like ‘we are all in this world alone.’

As I serve lunch and chat with the members, I realize that many are living exactly opposite of my ailing friend. Many of them lived much of their lives feeling like ‘we are in this world alone.’ As they meet and share and treat and eat with their recovery community members, I see and feel an increasing sense of ‘we are all in this world together.’ And with that, the sky is the limit.

I am honored to be a small part of one of the recovery communities and appreciate more than they know, the experiences, accomplishments, and challenges the members share with me. We will all learn and grow…together…one Tuesday at a time.

Copyright Jeff Tolman 2025. All rights reserved



Thanks for your service, Judge, and heartfelt thanks to other volunteers and donors that have helped us launch a Recovery Cafe. We look forward to celebrating with everyone at our open house January 22, 2026 from 4pm to 6pm.

Public Works Department Update

Poulsbo Launches Community Survey on Future of Solid Waste Collection

The City of Poulsbo is seeking community input as it evaluates contracting garbage collection services to a private hauler. Residents and businesses are invited to participate in a public survey, available through January 22, 2026, to help shape the future of solid waste services citywide.

Holiday Recycling & Waste

Holidays often generate a lot of waste, with more packages arriving at your door, and wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons discarded from gifts. Lights, decorations, and wreaths tend to wear out or break. Many people ask, "What should I do with all of it?"

Learn how to recycle and dispose of your holiday waste properly. https://www.kitsap.gov/pw/Documents/HolidayRecycleCompostGuide.pdf

Treecycle your holiday trees

Schedule a pickup or take your tree to one of these drop-off sites or fundraisers. Remove all decorations from trees. *Flocked trees only accepted where noted. Please verify with business or organization before dropping off wreaths. 

Below are all the places in North Kitsap to recycle your tree

Kitsap County 4-H/Heritage 4-H Club

Drop off your tree at the Valley Nursery, Poulsbo on Saturday, January 3, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hosted by Soundview Tree Service and Valley Nursery. Group suggests $10 donation.

Bainbridge Transfer Station. 7215 NE Vincent Rd., Bainbridge Island.

Drop off your tree starting December 26, 2025 until the end of January 2026. Open Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost $5. No wreaths. Flocked trees will go in trash. For more information visit bainbridgedisposal.com

Bainbridge Island Troop 1564 & 1804

Curbside pickup of your tree in Bainbridge Island on Sunday, January 11, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. No flocked trees. Group suggests $25 donation. No flocked trees. Register online.

Kingston Scout Troop 555

Drop off your tree at the Kingston Scout Hall 26128 Bannister St., Kingston on Saturday, January 3, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please do not leave trees on the street, ok to leave on the curb. No flocked trees. Group suggests $20 donation.

Curbside pickup of your tree in the Driftwood Keys area of Kingston on Saturday, January 3, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. No flocked trees. Group suggests $20 donation.

NK Athletic Boosters

Drop off your tree on Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, January 11, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Town & Country Market, Poulsbo. They'll also collect trees curbside in major neighborhoods within the Poulsbo city limits. No flocked trees. A suggested $5 donation supports the NK High School Baseball Team.

Olmsted Tree Farm  17526 Clear Creek Rd. NW, Poulsbo

Drop off your tree on Saturday-Sunday, December 28-29, 2025 and Saturday-Sunday, January 4-5, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. No flocked trees. Cost $5. Exact change or check.

Olympic Organics – Kingston  7890 NE Ecology Rd., Kingston

Drop off your tree starting Friday, January 2, 2026. Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. No tinsel. No flocked trees. Cost $5

TILZ Soils and Compost 12112 Miller Rd NE, Bainbridge Island

Drop off your tree during regular business hours. No flocked trees. Cost $2.

Planning and Economic Development Department Update

Engineering and Building Department Update

Engineering Department Update-



Poulsbo Fire Station #76

Poulsbo’s new fire station, located at 19145 Viking Ave NW, has officially opened to the public, and has already begun taking emergency calls, primarily covering the Keyport/Scandia area. The new station is approximately 6,800 sf, with space for up to three fire engines/medic trucks and four on-duty firefighters. The Station 76 ribbon cutting/recognition ceremony took place on November 22, while a public open house took place on December 6, for the community to explore the new station and meet the crew. The new fire station is a great addition to the City of Poulsbo!

PERC Update

The Poulsbo Event and Recreation Center (PERC) Phase I site plan review has been approved, and the design phase is nearing completion. The PERC Phase I project proposes the initial development of the facility intended to serve community needs and sporting events. Phase I will be located on two parcels on Reliance Street, totaling approximately 7.27 acres, and includes the construction of two turf fields, pickleball courts, a basketball/multi-use court, a playground, a walking/jogging loop, picnic shelters, restrooms, and a parking lot with 93 spaces. Phase I does not include indoor facilities, which are expected in future phases. The project is on schedule to advertise for bid in January 2026, with construction to begin spring 2026 and expected to last through fall of 2027. 

Building Department Update-



Streamlined Permitting Submittals — Moving Toward Paperless Plans

Starting January 1, 2026, the City of Poulsbo is transitioning to electronic building permit submittals and resubmittals through the SmartGov portal. This update simplifies the application process, reduces costs, and speeds up reviews.

• Electronic submittals will be the standard method for most building permit applications and resubmittals.
• Plans must be uploaded in PDF format through SmartGov (no secure or password-protected files).
• Approved plan sets will be digitally stamped — applicants must print one color copy for jobsite inspections.

We recognize that not all applicants have easy access to computers or high-speed internet. If you are unable to submit electronically, please contact us. In limited cases, staff may accept paper plans and scan them into our system on your behalf.

For help or instructions, visit our Building Department webpage or download the Electronic Submittal Help Sheet (coming soon). Questions? Call us at (360) 394-9882 or email building@cityofpoulsbo.com.

Finance Department Update

Utility Rates

Directed by the Poulsbo Municipal Code (PMC), utility rates are subject to annual adjustments on January 1^st using the prior year’s June 30^th Consumer Price Index – All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Poulsbo’s geographic area. The rate changes effective January 1, 2026, for Water, Sewer, Solid Waste, and Stormwater will be 2.7%. Additionally, for Solid Waste only, an increase of 11.5% goes into effect January 1, 2026 per Ordinance 2025-20 for a total of 14.2%.

The Low Income Senior and Disabled Reduced Rate Utility Program income limit has increased to $51,169 for 2026. Eligibility information and application forms are available online at: https://cityofpoulsbo.com/utility-billing/. For further assistance, contact the Finance Department at 360-394-9881.

Irrigation

Have you considered suspending your irrigation account for the season? For a $40 fee, not only will this save you base charges, but it can also play a role in protecting your system against winter damage and water loss. For more information, contact the Finance Department at 360-394-9881 or Public Works at 360-779-4078.

Business & Occupation (B&O) Taxes

YEAR END HAS BEGUN!!

2025 fourth quarter B&O taxes and 2025 annual B&O taxes are due January 31, 2026.

• Non-profit organizations, who are exempt, must submit an annual zero return form by January 31.
• Non-profit organizations who remit tax back to the state, must file a quarterly return by January 31.
• Exempt businesses, must submit an annual zero return form by January 31.
• Businesses who plan to file a zero return for 2025, must submit by January 31.
• Businesses who plan to file their fourth quarter return for 2025, or annual return for 2025, must submit by January 31.

FileLocal offers a Taxpayer Quick Start Guide which provides step by step instructions to set-up a business account and link it to Poulsbo to pay taxes. A UBI number (9-digit UBI, business ID and business location ID is needed and can be found on the Department of Revenue website), which is also the business Poulsbo account number.

Online payments will be charged a convenience fee of $4.00, plus a $1.00 ACH debit service fee -or- 2.49% credit card fee for each form. No fees will be charged for a zero return.

Alternatively, forms are available online and can be paid multiple ways. Please keep reading!

QUICK FACTS

• Businesses will be exempt from paying the City’s B&O tax if annual gross revenue is less than $20,000, however a zero-return tax form is required to be submitted annually (due January 31).
• Businesses who gross over $100,000 annually will submit B&O tax quarterly, businesses who gross under $100,000 annually will submit B&O tax annually (due January 31).
• Non-profit organizations who are exempt from paying the City’s B&O tax are required to file an annual zero return by January 31.
• Non-profit organizations who remit tax back to the state are required to file a quarterly return by January 31.
• 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.

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.

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.

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: Poulsbo City Hall, 3rd Floor, with 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.

Online: www.cityofpoulsbo.com, scroll down and click PAY A CITY BILL, scroll down and click OTHER CITY SERVICES PAYMENT and the payment portal will open. In the Pay a bill dropdown choose B and O Tax, click Next →, under Account Number or Reference, enter the UBI number and fill in the balance of information to complete the payment. Email your completed B&O tax form to: tax@cityofpoulsbo.com

RESOURCES

• Poulsbo Municipal Code Chapter 3.34 provides the code language for the Poulsbo B&O tax.
• Poulsbo webpage provides information regarding the B&O tax and forms to fill out and submit. Please click the following link: Business and Occupation Tax | City of Poulsbo 
• Alternatively, send an email to: tax@cityofpoulsbo.com for further information.
• FileLocal is a portal where businesses can create an account and pay B&O taxes. Please click the following link to access FileLocal: https://www.filelocal-wa.gov/
• Department of Revenue provides Washington state business licenses and endorsements for Poulsbo. Home | Washington Department of Revenue

2026

Beginning January 1, a new deduction process was adopted by our City Council.

QUARTERLY:

Every business classification (Retail, Wholesale, Manufacturing and Services & Other) who files quarterly B&O taxes will be able to take a single $31,250 deduction from their gross income. There will no longer be two different deductions. This deduction can only be taken once. Multiple deductions across classifications are not allowed.

ANNUALLY:

Every business classification (Retail, Wholesale, Manufacturing and Services & Other) who files annual B&O taxes for 2026 (in 2027) will be able to take a single $125,000 deduction from their gross income. There will no longer be two different deductions. This deduction can only be taken once. Multiple deductions across classifications are not allowed.

Questions? Send an email to: tax@cityofpoulsbo.com or call (360) 397-9749.

For more information, please view our B&O Tax webpage at: https://cityofpoulsbo.com/b-and-o-tax/

Job Openings

The City of Poulsbo is currently hiring. Click here to learn more details about open positions!

Parks and Recreation Department Update

Happy New Year!

As we begin this new year, our thoughts are filled with good wishes for a happy and healthy year for all our community members. We look forward to bringing you new exciting programs and events, working with you to expand our Parks Pollinator Project (P3), seeing improvements to the Moe Street Trail and much more. Thank you for being a part of our story - your continued support inspires us daily. Here’s to an extraordinary year ahead!

New Year- New You!

January always starts us off with the desire to improve ourselves. We have a variety of fun and enriching programs to get you started!

2026 Policy and Fee Changes

Beginning January 1, 2026, registrants wishing to withdraw from a program will be charged a $10 administrative fee if they withdraw more than five business days before the start date of the program. If they withdraw five or less days before the start date, no credit or refund will be given.

Special Event Permit Application fees have been adjusted to better account for administrative processing time and will be increasing. For more information on Special Events, including the newly established seasonal schedule for events held at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, visit https://cityofpoulsbo.com/special-event-permit/.