City of Poulsbo June E-Newsletter | | | | City of Poulsbo Holiday Hours. Please plan accordingly so that we may best serve you: Closed for Juneteenth - on Thursday, June 19, 2025 | | |
City Administrator's Vennlig Hilsener
By Rob Gelder
| | |
As I write this, we are experiencing our first mid-80s temperature day. Everything is lit by the sun, and we are reminded of why we love calling Poulsbo home.
You'll quickly see in this month's newsletter that nothing has slowed down in Poulsbo, and we are gaining speed into the summer months ahead. One program of note is the mobile pumpout for boaters in Liberty Bay. The bay is a precious resource for everyone and needs to be protected. This program, supported in part by the City of Poulsbo, is key to protecting this natural resource during the primary boating season.
Our comprehensive plan is nearing adoption. I'm so appreciative of the input community members have provided, but also for the hours of dedication City Council and staff have put into the crafting and refining of a vision for the City's future. As with any jurisdiction, we have our challenges ahead for providing housing and services to our growing community. This plan sets the table for that work to begin. Part of any comprehensive plan is also looking at public open space. In the past two months we have dedicated Morrow Park and improvements to Raab Park with the addition of Play for All. Both projects were made possible by personal vision and community involvement.
Along with articles about infrastructure projects along the Noll Road Corridor and new construction, I wanted to draw your attention to two staff members of Public Works, Jerry and Gordon, who competed and placed in the Kitsap County annual Public Works Rodeo. They did the City proud!
Thanks for the read and I hope you have a wonderful start to your summer.
Ha det godt!!
| | |
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.
| | Special Notice to Boaters | | During weekends and Holidays from May to September, boaters can schedule a free pump-out at the locations listed in the flyer below. This program is funded by Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program and local partners. | | Planning and Economic Development Department Update | | |
A Milestone in Planning Poulsbo’s Future
After three years of thoughtful conversations, 31 public workshops, and countless hours of dedicated staff work, the Poulsbo Planning Commission reached a major milestone. On the evening of May 13, 2025, the Commission held a public hearing and made its formal recommendation to adopt the 2024 Comprehensive Plan.
The Comprehensive Plan is Poulsbo’s roadmap for the next 20 years—guiding how we grow, where we invest, and what we preserve. It now heads to the City Council for review, beginning with a workshop on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The Council’s public hearing on the Plan, along with accompanying land development regulations, is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
We invite our residents to take a closer look at the Comprehensive Plan and see how it will shape Poulsbo’s future. The Plan includes 12 chapters, each addressing a key component of community life—from housing and parks to economic development and environmental stewardship:
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: Land Use
- Chapter 3: Community Character
- Chapter 4: Transportation
- Chapter 5: Natural Environment
- Chapter 6: Capital Facilities
- Chapter 7: Housing
- Chapter 8: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space
- Chapter 9: Economic Development
- Chapter 10: Utilities
- Chapter 11: Health and Human Services
- Chapter 12: Participation, Evaluation, and Implementation
| | |
4th Avenue Apartments – Construction to Commence early June
The 4th Avenue Apartments project is a new multi-family development in Poulsbo consisting of two 3-story buildings, each containing 36 units, for a total of 72 apartment units. The site includes parking for 126 total vehicles, including carports, along with ample bicycle storage. The development will also offer recreational amenities, such a reflection garden, courtyard seating areas with BBQs, walking paths, and each unit includes a private outdoor patio or balcony. Pedestrian pathways connect throughout the site, and landscaping includes perimeter plantings, street trees, and parking lot vegetation. The project also includes frontage improvements on 4th Avenue, including new curb, gutter, and sidewalk.
The 13.06-acre site retains 84% of its total area in tree retention or landscaping, with a significant portion preserving existing tree stands and slopes, far exceeding the city's minimum tree retention standards. Wetlands on-site were identified and adequately buffered, with all development occurring outside those regulated areas. The architectural design incorporates deep roof overhangs, varied façade treatments, and Craftsman-inspired detailing to meet city design standards. The project was approved in February 2023, and construction is set to commence in early June 2025.
| | Above: Architectural Rendering | | Engineering and Building Department Update | | Raab Park Play for All Ribbon Cutting- The brand-new Play for All playground is now open at Raab Park! A community ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Saturday, May 10 with an eager crowd in attendance. This fully inclusive play area was built for children of all abilities and was many years in the making thanks to grants, generous community support, and City leaders. The new playground features sensory stations, a wheelchair-friendly merry-go-round, wheelchair-accessible swing, inclusive teeter totter, and swing seats, in addition to other fun stations to encourage safe playing and exploring for many years to come. Raab Park is located at 18349 Caldart Ave NE. | | Children Exploring Play for All Playground | | Ribbon-Cutting at Raab Park | | |
Noll Road Corridor Improvements Project- Construction on the next phase of the Noll Road Corridor Improvements Project began on Monday, May 5. The project includes a roundabout at the intersection of NE Mesford Road and Noll Road NE, and extends from Mesford to NE Lincoln Road along Langaunet Lane and Maranatha Lane NE. Roadway illumination, sidewalk, and a shared-use path are also components of this new road. In addition to the Langaunet to Maranatha roadway improvements, this project along Noll Road will include a sidewalk and shared path to NE Bjorn Street and Poulsbo Elementary School.
The prime contractor, SCI Infrastructure, is beginning to clear the area around Maranatha Lane. The contractor hours will be Monday – Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Traffic impacts will include traffic delays near the intersections of Noll Road and Mesford Road, and Maranatha Lane and Lincoln Road. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2026. Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this project. Please contact the Engineering Department if you have questions at 360-394-9882 or visit our website at https://cityofpoulsbo.com/noll-rd-north-construction.
| | Lindvig Sewer Pump Station- Bainbridge Island Electric will be completing an upgrade at the Lindvig Sewer Pump Station to procure and install specified VFD and MTS equipment and complete electrical work. This project is currently under construction. For more information, please contact the Project Manager, Charlie Roberts, at (360) 394-9882 or croberts@cityofpoulsbo.com. | | Poulsbo Fire Station #76- The site of the new Poulsbo Fire Station located at 19145 Viking Avenue is rapidly changing every day. The foundation is currently being poured, and the framing has begun for the bottom level of the building. Once completed, this new 6,700 square foot satellite fire station will 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. | |
Developer Projects
For the month of April, the Building Department issued 51 new permits, for a total valuation of $8,102,938.73, fourteen of which were for new single-family residences. Several developments are currently underway around the City, some of which are highlighted below.
| | |
Eliason Building- The new Eliason Square Apartments are preparing to open, after an extensive renovation of the old Eliason Building on Front Street. Luxury apartment homes are located on the upper floors while retail space will occupy the bottom floor, including the Culinary Viking kitchen store, which is now open. A fine dining restaurant is expected to open, along with other possible retail spaces in the future.
The old Eliason building has deep roots in Poulsbo, dating all the way back to 1906, and was named for one of Poulsbo's first permanent settlers, Jorgen Eliason. Jorgen’s son, E.J. Eliason, owned the general store on the first floor and lived with his family in an apartment, along with other apartments that he rented out, on the second floor, while using the third floor for storage. The Masonic Lodge moved into the building in 1920 and remained there for nearly a century, along with several other various businesses over the years. The Eliason Building is notable for surviving the great 1914 fire in downtown Poulsbo.
| | Newly Renovated Eliason Building | | Oslo Bay Apartments- Construction continues at the site of the future Oslo Bay Apartments, located near the intersection of State Route 305 and State Route 307 (Bond Road). The Oslo Bay Apartments will be a residential community comprised of thirteen apartment buildings with 468 multi-family residential units and a community building/clubhouse. The project includes construction of private roads, parking lots, pedestrian pathways, utilities, landscaping, and stormwater management systems, as well as a public road system from SR305 to Viking Ave NW. Community areas will include a children’s play area, a picnic and BBQ area with outdoor gathering space, and a community garden. The clubhouse will include a residential leasing office, exercise room, locker rooms, pool, and gathering area. Almost thirteen acres of the site will be retained as protected streams and wetlands and over six acres will be landscaped. This is the largest housing development project in the City of Poulsbo to date and will be completed in several phases. | | Oslo Bay Apartments Under Construction | | Nordic Cottages- Construction continues on the Nordic Cottages on Lincoln Road. By the end of the year, deeply affordable housing will be provided for eight seniors in our area. | | Finance Department Update | | |
Water Rates
Per Ordinance No. 2025-06 water rates will increase by 6% beginning July 1, 2025. For water saving tips visit www.cityofpoulsbo.com/public-works and select “Tips for Saving Water” under Quick Links.
| | |
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.
Seasonal Averaging begins with your June bill and 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.
| | |
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&0) TAXES
B&O tax on gross receipts collected between April 1 – June 30, 2025, are due July 31, 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 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.
-
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 have begun. If taxes are not submitted on time (postmarked, received via FileLocal, a city dropbox or email on June 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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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, janitors, accountants, 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.
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.
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 is having a tire collection event.
When: Monday, June 9, 2025, and Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. both days
Where: Kitsap County Fairgounds - Thunderbird Arena, 1275 NW Fairgrounds Rd., Bremerton, WA 98311
| | |
Accepted items
· Limit of 15 tires per household.
· Tires from passenger vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles, lawn mowers, or wheelbarrows.
· Tires with or without rims.
Not accepted items
· No commercial or tractor tires. These will be turned away.
· No tires from businesses or organizations.
| | |
Marine flare and fire extinguisher safety and disposal event
Eagle Harbor Yacht Club, Bainbridge Prepares, and Peninsula Fire are hosting a free marine flare and fire extinguisher safety and disposal event. This event is not hosted by Kitsap County. For questions about this event, please contact Eagle Harbor Yacht Club.
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Winslow Wharf Marina parking lot at 141 Parfitt Way SW., Bainbridge Island, WA
The event includes:
· Free disposal of unserviceable fire extinguishers
· Safe, free disposal of expired or unwanted marine flares and fireworks
| | |
Paint Recycling Event
GreenSheen Paint and the City of Bainbridge Island are hosting a free community paint recycling event for Kitsap households and contractors. This event is not hosted by Kitsap County. For questions about this event, please visit the event webpage.
When: Saturday, June 28, 2025, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are preferred but not required. Schedule an appointment on the event webpage.
Where: Bainbridge Island Public Works Facility, 7305 Northeast Hidden Cove Road, Bainbridge Island, WA
Accepted materials:
· Urethanes
· Oil-based and latex-based paints
· Acrylic paint
· Varnishes, shellacs, and lacquers
· Primers
· Clear coatings
Not accepted:
· Spray paints and marine and auto paints
· Household hazardous waste
· Paint thinners
· Driveway sealers
| | Public Works had a couple of crew members participate in the Public Works Equipment Rodeo at the Fairgrounds today. Participants included representatives from the City of Poulsbo, Kitsap County, Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Port Orchard, and even Jefferson County. | | |
Jerry DeCoteau (Pictured on the left)
• Mini Excavator – Bronze Medal
| |  | |
Gordon Guthrie (Pictured on the right)
• Front End Loader – Gold Medal
• Skid Steer – Bronze Medal
| | | The City of Poulsbo is currently hiring. Click here to learn more details about open positions! | | Parks and Recreation Department Update | | Summer is just around the corner, and the Parks and Recreation Department has plenty to keep kids of all ages busy! We’ve added new camps and programs, and have a ton of old favorites as well. Camp Kindergarten is taught by kindergarten teacher Grace Billings and will include fun activities that will introduce your child to the skills needed to start their school career. Kick Off the Summer Camp will be held outdoors at Raab Park and will get your child moving, creating, and exploring with art and science projects, field games, nature exploration, and more. Other new outdoor programs include Play in the Park, with activities like Disc Golf, a Wildlife Walk, and Pastels in the Park, while our new Pop-up in the Park series will include games, creative play, and more for kids of all ages held at Lions and Raab Parks. View these and other new and returning programs in our online catalog and register at www.cityofpoulsbo.com/Register. Register now before camps fill up, and we’ll make sure your kids have a fun and enriching summer! Make sure you check out the adult and senior programs while you are there! | | This year’s 48th annual Viking Fest Road Race was another huge success! We had 400 5-mile runners, 411 1-mile runners, and 57 Kids Dashers for a total of 868 participants. Many thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers, especially presenting sponsor Integrity Roofing and Construction. We wouldn’t be able to put on this huge event without our community! | | | | |
