Fire CARES- Support and Expansion. Residents of Kitsap pay a one-tenth of one percent sales and use tax to fund mental health and substance use services in our County. This October, a citizens advisory group recommended continued funding for Poulsbo Fire CARES ($65,000) and funding for a new Central Kitsap Fire CARES program ($165,000). If awarded, this funding will help both programs in 2023, and ensure that more people in our area get the help they need when they call 911 in behavioral health distress. Poulsbo Fire CARES has been operating since early 2021 and it’s great to see the program grow and serve as an example for other jurisdictions. More information here: https://cityofpoulsbo.com/poulsbo-fire-cares/

Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: Kitsap Homes of Compassion. KHOC was established in 2017 to respond to homelessness in a different way: renting or buying existing homes and apartments and making them available to low income individuals. KHOC serves adults with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and-in Poulsbo-women with children. Rents are kept low with assistance from public and private partners and in-home supportive services are available. The City of Poulsbo provides KHOC with funding for home operations and rental assistance; we are grateful for the work they do to serve some of our most vulnerable residents. To lean more about KHOC, go to https://khoc.homes/

Got your flu shot yet? This is the ideal time to get your flu shot if you haven’t done so already. Poulsbo pharmacies and supermarkets have vaccines available—often on a walk up and ask basis. People 65 and older are at the highest risk of flu complications. Please visit this link to access useful information from the CDC about higher dose vaccinations: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/65over.htm

Utility Rates Increase. 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 City applies the percentage increase to rate payer’s Water, Sewer, Stormwater, and Solid Waste utility service charges. In recent years this adjustment has ranged from 0.9%-5.5%.

The June 30^th, 2022, index delivered challenging news, showing a rise of 10.1% over the prior year. Facing the possibility of a double-digit upsurge for all utility rates, City Council members were prompted to discuss plans to alleviate the impact to rate payers' utility charges.

Although not yet finalized through Ordinance, the City plans to update the PMC rates for Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater to be bracketed with a minimum increase of 2.0% and a maximum increase of 6.0% to not be susceptible to significant CPI-U percentage changes. This change is intended to begin in 2023.

Due to added costs related to contracts, Solid Waste adjustments will continue to align with the actual CPI-U adjustment as outlined in PMC 8.16.070.

Intended Rate Changes Effective January 1, 2023:

*Annual CPI-U Rate Increase for Solid Waste = 10.1%

*Capped Rate Increase for Water, Sewer, and Stormwater = 6.0%

ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funding. How has ARPA made a difference in your community?

Federal funds made a significant difference in the economic stability and safety of the community. The Mayor and City Council were pro-active to utilize a substantial amount of funds and direct them back into the community. CARES dollars allocated funds to small businesses supporting sustainability through the pandemic shutdowns. ARPA dollars focused on funding for non-profit groups. Both processes were administered by City staff and required supporting documents demonstrating losses occurring and progress reports showing how funds were used to maintain operations.

Several different items were initiated once areas could again open to the public. Local dining establishments were allowed to operate "Streateries," which expanded business into outside parking stalls and sidewalks. This provided more retail and dining spaces. Large quantities of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were purchased and distributed to local businesses to support ongoing operations while maintaining the safety of employees and customers.

Funds were used to bring back staffing positions which were eliminated at the beginning of the pandemic when revenue was impacted due to shut down of operations. Although the funds are distributed over two years, they can be utilized to maintain expenditures affected due to the loss of revenues through 2024. Using this funding to support positions helps the City recover and grow services to be sustained over the next several years supporting continuity of service.

It was also important the City maintain an open form of government. Large changes were made to install infrastructure and tools supporting virtual meetings and moving forward with a hybrid model for those who do not choose to attend in person.

The City used funds to manage and implement payment plans supporting those customers who were suffering financial strains and needed a timely plan to pay for prior utility services without the threat of services being discontinued. 

The City also worked with other local agencies to support those citizens who were financially impacted and not able to pay for necessary rent and utilities. Other local agencies' support was directed towards treating mental health issues citizens suffered during the pandemic. This allowed agencies to provide a direction for a proper support system. 

A water and sewer infrastructure improvements project is also anticipated to utilize funds for a portion of the project - which aims to maintain and improve the necessary services and ease burdens put on the systems during the pandemic.

Overall it was important to the Mayor and City Council to put funds back into the community to lessen the impacts and long term effects of the pandemic.

Water Main Flushing

The City of Poulsbo will be flushing the water main in our Lower System starting on November 1st and ending on November 5th. The Lower Zone is shaded on the map (<-CLICK to link),

We typically flush from 10PM until 5AM. During this time customers may experience discolored water.

If you have any questions call Ryan Golden at (360) 394-9751.

Reduce Flooding by Keeping Storm Drains Clear.