City of Poulsbo November E-Newsletter | | A Letter From Mayor Becky Erickson | | |
Planning for People: A Recognition of Our Shared Work
This October, I had the great honor of being recognized by the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association with the Planning Achievement Award. The award was presented at the state planning conference in Tacoma, and while it bears my name, it truly belongs to the City of Poulsbo and to all of you who have helped shape this community over the years.
My journey into public service started almost by accident. Years ago, the city proposed annexing my family’s farm at the edge of town. That decision changed the course of my life. I began asking questions—lots of them—and before long, I found myself deeply involved in how our city makes decisions about growth, land use, and the future we want to create together. I ran for City Council in 2008, and two years later, I became Mayor.
Sixteen years later, the lessons I learned from that first annexation still guide me. Good planning is about people. It’s about making sure the choices we make today build opportunity and connection for generations to come.
This award reflects Poulsbo’s thoughtful approach to planning and our collaboration across the region. Through the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council, we’ve worked with our neighboring cities and tribes to coordinate growth planning and housing strategies—most recently by creating pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plans that make it easier and more affordable for residents across Kitsap County to build small homes for family or rental income.
At the Puget Sound Regional Council, I’ve had the privilege of serving as President and in other leadership roles helping to shape our region’s transportation and safety plans, ensuring small communities like Poulsbo have a seat at the table.
Here at home, we recently completed Poulsbo’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan, which outlines our shared vision for how the city will grow thoughtfully over the next 20 years. The plan reflects hundreds of community conversations—at the farmers market, library, concerts in the park, and city hall—about what kind of place we want Poulsbo to be.
One of the projects closest to my heart is the Nordic Cottage Project, a partnership between the City of Poulsbo and Housing Kitsap that provides permanently affordable cottages for low-income seniors. These small, beautiful homes sit on city-owned land and represent something truly innovative: a model of how small cities can use public property, state programs, and creative zoning to make housing attainable for those who need it most.
Housing Kitsap’s Director, Heather Blough, said it best: “This will be the only project in our portfolio that is owned by a city and managed by Housing Kitsap.” It’s a first for Poulsbo, but I hope not the last.
As I end my final year as your mayor, I want to say thank you—for caring about this community, for showing up to meetings, and for believing that Poulsbo can grow while staying true to its roots. Planning isn’t just about buildings, zoning, or infrastructure—it’s about people, and about ensuring Poulsbo remains a wonderful place to live, work, and grow.
With gratitude,
Becky Erickson
Mayor, City of Poulsbo
| | City of Poulsbo - News You Can Use | | Downtown Poulsbo Parking Enforcement Begins November 1 - click here for details | | | | |
City Hall Closures
City Hall will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th, in observance of Veteran's Day and on Thursday, November 27th, and Friday, November 28th, in observance of Thanksgiving. Please plan accordingly so that we may best serve you!
| | Sunday, November 2nd, Daylight Savings Time Ends. Remember to set your clocks back one hour. | | |
City Administrator's Vennlig Hilsener
By Rob Gelder
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Vennlig Hilsener
Things are not slowing down here at the City of Poulsbo. Every autumn things get busy for Council and staff as we amend budgets, approve contracts, update policies/code and wrap up projects before the weather gets bad. Public Works staff are making sure storm drains are clear and that our system is ready for the rain that will be falling.
One thing of note in November is that the City will begin parking enforcement in the downtown area. The intent is to support downtown businesses with a balance of duration of stays and a turnover that will support the vitality of the local economy and their endeavors. As with all change, it'll take some getting used to - but more importantly, we're approaching this from a stance of learning and adapting as we go along. For those who have been following the discussion, the Council decided to do enforcement first prior to the implementation of a paid alternative. For more information, please check out: Downtown Parking Enforcement | City of Poulsbo
We will be closed on November 11th in recognition of Veterans' Day. Please join us in taking a moment at 11:11 am to remember and thank our veterans for their dedication and sacrifices for our freedoms.
May you and yours have a wonderful November and Thanksgiving holiday.
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Councilmembers Awarded Certificates in Municipal Leadership
Councilmember Rick Eckert recently earned an Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership and Councilmembers Pam Crowe and Gary McVey earned their Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).
AWC’s Certificate of Municipal Leadership program recognizes city and town elected officials for accomplishing training in five core areas:
- Legal requirements, roles and responsibilities, and ethics (Legal)
- Budgeting and financial management (Budget)
- Infrastructure, transportation, and land use (Land use)
- Building safe, healthy, and thriving communities (Community)
- Effective local leadership (Leadership)
To earn the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership, Councilmember Eckert completed more than 60 hours of training and demonstrated local community service. Councilmembers Crowe and McVey completed more than 30 hours of training to earn the Certification of Municipal Leadership distinction.
“Being a city leader in Washington is a complex job,” said AWC CEO Deanna Dawson. “Through our Advanced CML program we are providing our elected officials with the knowledge they need to effectively operate within the law, plan for the future, secure and manage funds, foster strong relationships, and work to build more equitable communities.”
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Volunteer Vacancies - Help Shape Poulsbo's Future!
The City of Poulsbo is seeking dedicated community members to serve on the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Tree Board. These volunteer roles give you the chance to make a lasting impact—whether it’s guiding recreation programs, planning for future park needs, or protecting and enhancing Poulsbo’s trees and urban forest.
Learn more about each role:
Ready to apply?
Please complete the Boards and Commission Volunteer Application. Applications may be emailed to cityclerks@cityofpoulsbo.com or dropped off at the City Clerk’s Office, 200 NE Moe Street.
Have questions? Call us at (360) 394-9880—we’d love to hear from you!
| | Housing, Health and Human Services Department Update | | Pulling together in tough times. The federal government shutdown has affected many families in our area, including those who work for the federal government and those who rely on SNAP for food. Businesses in Kitsap have come forward to offer discounts and meals and the City has a part to play, too. Starting in November, there will be bins at City Hall for food donations that will be taken to Fishline throughout the month, and collection baskets at the Recovery Center and Recovery Cafe to feed guests at the Recovery Cafe. A list of recommended items is at theFOODproject - Fishline. | | Recovery Cafe Gets a Kitchen and not a moment too soon. Construction began in late October for the Recovery Cafe kitchen, and we anticipate cooking on site sometime in mid-December. Volunteers and staff have been cooking and washing dishes at a local church since we opened this summer. Having prep space, an oven, and a dishwasher in house expands our ability to expand our menu and offer hot, nutritious food. The Recovery Cafe welcomes anyone interested in being a part of a recovery community or affected by the federal shutdown. We're open Monday-Thursday 10am to 3pm in upper Poulsbo Village, just up from Centennial Park and a few doors down from the Recovery Resource Center. | | |
Nordic Cottages-What's Next? The Nordic Cottages are the first City-led affordable housing project in Poulsbo and are the result of several Councils, multiple partnerships, and funding from numerous sources. Thanks to the work of Housing Kitsap, the first residents will move into the Cottages in early November and all 8 homes will be occupied by the end of the year. How should the City support new affordable housing projects now that this one is near completion? Housing, Health and Human Services is assembling a community group to help think through this question. The group will meet October - December and present recommendations to City Council at their retreat in January. If you have ideas you'd like us to consider, contact Kim at kimberlyh@cityofpoulsbo.com.
Pictured on the right: Welcome gift baskets for new residents at the Nordic Cottages from the team at Gateway Fellowship
| | Planning and Economic Development Department Update | | |
Housing Solutions in Action
Planning Manager, Nikole Coleman shared Poulsbo’s story of addressing housing needs at the American Planning Association of Washington Annual Conference in Tacoma last month. In her joint session titled “Housing Solutions in Action: Peninsula P-Towns Overcoming Housing Barriers”.
During her presentation, she highlighted the legislative actions the city council have made including allowing duplex’s on corner lots, increasing height in our commercial zone to encourage housing development and streamlining the review process to name a few. In addition, she shared that the city is providing pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Units plans to promote the ability for two ADU’s on each residential lot.
The conference brought 100’s of planners and associated practitioners from across the state. Also at the conference, Mayor Becky Erickson was awarded the Planning Achievement Award described above. Between Nikole’s presentation and the Mayors award, the City of Poulsbo was visibly showcased at this years “Bold Visions & Smart Solutions for an Ever-Changing Future” focused conference.
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Updating Poulsbo’s Critical Areas Ordinance
The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires Washington cities to protect sensitive natural areas like wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, aquifer recharge zones, floodplains, and geologically hazardous areas. Cities must also use Best Available Science (BAS) when writing these protections and update their rules on a regular cycle.
Poulsbo’s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), found in Chapter 16.20 of the Municipal Code, was last updated in 2017. The CAO guides how development is reviewed and ensures protection of these important resources.
Two-Phase Update
To balance state requirements with local priorities, Poulsbo is updating its CAO in two phases:
- Phase I (2025): Required Updates. Brings the CAO into compliance with state law and BAS. Key changes include revised stream buffers, updated definitions, and consistency edits.
- Phase II (2026): Local Improvements. Focuses on discretionary changes to improve usability and reflect Poulsbo's planning goals. Possible topics include buffer averaging, low-impact development, streamlined permitting, and adaptive management strategies. Work is expected to begin in winter 2026.
What’s Next
The City Council will hold a workshop on November 5, 2025, to consider Phase I updates with the Hearing scheduled for November 19.
Check out the website here: https://cityofpoulsbo.com/criticalareasupdate/
| | Engineering and Building Department Update | | Noll Road Corridor Improvements Project- Construction on this project has been going steady since last May. Road closures at Maranatha Lane NE and Langaunet Lane NE have ended and the roads have reopened to local traffic only. Please check our website for updates at https://cityofpoulsbo.com/noll-rd-north-construction. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this project! | | Nordic Cottages- New tenants will begin moving into the Nordic Cottages on Lincoln Road at the beginning of the month. A grand opening event took place in mid-September, to celebrate the first city-led affordable housing development, which includes eight one-bedroom units overlooking a community garden and shared outdoor space. The units will be managed by Housing Kitsap. | | Grand Opening of Nordic Cottages | | |
Developments currently under construction include:
· Olympic Overlook- 22 single-family residential lots on Laurie Vei Loop
· Vanaheimr Apartments- mixed-use building with 25 apartment units on Hostmark Street
(site of former Police Station)
· 4th Avenue (Westerly) Apartments- 72-unit multi-family complex on 4th Avenue
· Poulsbo Fire Station #76- new full-service fire station at 19145 Viking Avenue NW
· Lincoln Cottages- 21 single-family residential lots on Lincoln Road
· Oslo Bay Apartments- 468-unit apartment complex at the NE corner of Bond Road and SR305
· Westry Village- 66 townhomes on Reliance Street at College Marketplace
· Aktiv Mixed-Use Building- 34 residential apartments plus commercial/short term lease space
on SR305
· Plateau at Liberty Bay- 63 single-family lots on Viking Avenue
· College Mercantile- 2-story building with lease spaces at College Marketplace
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Building Department Update
The Fisherman statue was unveiled at the new Eliason Square Apartment Building on Front Street in early October. The statue honors Poulsbo’s longtime maritime roots and rich heritage. Stop by and take a look!
| | The Building Department issued 39 new permits during the month of September for a total valuation of $13,793,022.35. As always, monthly reports are available to the public on our website at https://cityofpoulsbo.com/building-department. | | Finance Department Update | | |
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.
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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.
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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) TAXES
As the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax program began July 1, 2024, the City understands a new program takes time to develop. If you haven’t created your business account on FileLocal, it’s not too late! The sooner the account is created, the sooner you will be in compliance.
FileLocal offers a Taxpayer Quick Start Guide that provides step by step instructions to set up your business account and link it to Poulsbo to pay your taxes. You’ll need your UBI number (9-digit UBI, dash [-], business ID, dash [-] and business location ID [600000000-000-0000] – found on the Department of Revenue website), which will be your Poulsbo account number.
Third quarter (July 1 – September 30) B&O taxes are due now. Fourth quarter (October 1 – December 31) are due January 31, 2026. Annual taxes (July 1 – December 31) are also due January 31, 2026.
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
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City B&O tax is separate and has different guidelines and exemptions than Washington State B&O Tax.
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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 are:
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 Exemption 2.
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The B&O/Multipurpose tax form is for a variety of businesses – do not file utility taxes unless you work for a utility business.
PENALTIES
If taxes are not submitted on time (postmarked, received via FileLocal, a city dropbox or email by October 31), penalties will be assessed. Penalties are as follows:
- $5.00 minimum penalty.
- 9% penalty on the tax liability the first overdue month.
- 19% penalty on the tax liability the second overdue month.
- 29% penalty on the tax liability the third overdue month.
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 when the payment portal opens, choose B and O Tax under the Payment Type, enter the UBI number under Account Number or Reference and fill in the balance of information to complete the 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/
| | The City of Poulsbo is currently hiring. Click here to learn more details about open positions! | | Parks and Recreation Department Update | | |
Winter Sports are here and open for Registration!!
Join us for Winter Basketball! We have a Boys and Girls Prep camp, a Girls Middle School Prep league and a Boys and Girls Winter Recreational Basketball league. You are sure to find something for everyone. Register today to ensure your child a spot, www.cityofpoulsbo.com/register.
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We are also looking for coaches.
To find out more information or to sign up, reach out to Joe Schiel: 360-731-1938 or joes@cityofpoulsbo.com.
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Register today for Holiday Camps
These camps always fill up fast. Register today for our Mini Gymnastics Camp and All Levels Gymnastics Camp. These camps will run during Winter break and are always great fun.
If dance is more your thing, the ever-popular Nutcracker and Frozen Ballet Camps at InMotion Performing Arts Studio are open for registration now.
For more information or to register call 360-779-9898 or go to www.cityofpoulsbo.com/register today.
Skyhawks is also offering a Multi-Sport Holiday Break Camp in December. Visit www.skyhawks.com for more information and to register.
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Community Volunteer Opportunities
Join us on Saturdays in November for our Community Planting Parties in conjunction with our Poulsbo Pollinator Project.
- November 8 at American Legion Park
- November 15 at City Hall
- November 22 at Waterfront Park
Join us in the mornings from 9:00 am-12:00 pm or the afternoons from 12:30 pm-3:30 pm, or for both. Hope to see you there.
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Thank you!
A heartfelt thank you to our numerous volunteers and community sponsors. It is thanks to your continued support that we can better serve our greater community.
THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.
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