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Bainbridge Islanders,
Moody’s Investor Services has reaffirmed the City of Bainbridge Island’s robust financial position, assigning Bainbridge Island an Aaa rating. It is Moody’s highest rating, and they are stingy. You need to be elite. There are only five cities in the State of Washington that have earned this rating, and Bainbridge Island is one of them. We’ll tell you who our peers are later.
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There are three recognized international statistical rating organizations that rate the financial risk of public agencies. Along with Moody’s Investor Services, there are Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. Now, it is true, agencies pay a fee to be rated. Moody’s is clear: the fee pays for the services of the financial analysis and does not influence the rating.
To support Moody’s analysis, in its September 2, 2025, announcement, Moody’s highlighted that in 2024, the City of Bainbridge Island’s available operating fund balance and liquidity stood at 92.8% and 120% of revenue, respectively; “both well above the national median of similarly rated peers.” Moody’s highlighted the experienced and prudent management team and the fact the City maintains reserves at levels significantly above its formal policy target of 25% of revenue.
The City obtained a rating to enter into the bond market this week in order to secure a $12 million bond to support water and sewer improvements. It was a very successful sale, and we are pleased with the results.
Along with Bainbridge Island, here are the other four Washington cities with an Aaa rating: Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, and Seattle.
Best,
Blair King
City Manager
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625 Winslow Way Workforce Housing Project
Planning Commission Meeting Update
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Latest news about the 625 Winslow Way Workforce Housing Project
Last night’s Planning Commission meeting (Sep. 11) drew a standing-room-only crowd, with attendees filling the chamber and lobby to provide public comment, hear the Low Income Housing Institute’s (LIHI) presentation, and ask questions about the proposed 625 Winslow Way Workforce Housing Project. Attendees also commented on Ordinance No. 2025-21, which proposed code changes for 100% affordable housing developments in the vicinity of Ferry Terminal
The meeting continued well into the night, with comments from both those who support and oppose the project, with the Commission adjourning just before 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 12. After deliberation, the Commission voted 4–2 to advance the recommended ordinance with amendments, moving the proposal forward to City Council for consideration of adoption.
Watch the meeting HERE. The Agenda Packet can be found HERE. A summary of the Planning Commission's motions made will be posted on the City website on Monday.
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Ordinance Background
- On July 15, 2025, the City Council discussed LIHI’s proposal and approved a motion directing the Planning Commission to develop a draft ordinance revising development regulations for 100% affordable housing projects for Council consideration.
- The City is in the middle of updating the Winslow Subarea Plan and Comprehensive Plan, a process that will continue into early 2026. That work includes reviewing development standards and zoning changes, possibly shifting the 625 Winslow Way project site from Central Core to Ferry District zoning, as recommended by the Planning Commission in May 2025.
- On August 14 and 28, 2025, the Planning Commission considered Ordinance No. 2025-21, which would allow for additional floor area ratio (FAR) for 100% affordable housing projects in the Central Core and Ferry Terminal zoning districts, east of SR 305.
- On September 11, 2025, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the draft amendments. After closing the public hearing and discussion, the Planning Commission voted to amend the ordinance to allow for a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 2.5 and a height limit of 55 feet for such affordable housing projects, including the 625 Winslow site.
- After extensive testimony and discussion, the Commission recommended approval of the ordinance to City Council.
Policy Alignment
This project is in alignment with the City’s existing Comprehensive Plan, explicitly Housing Element Policy HO 4.3, which states:
Partner with non-profit or for-profit housing sectors to create new multifamily housing in designated centers including a significant percentage of affordable housing through the joint or exclusive use of surplus publicly owned property or air space.
A video recording of the meeting and the agenda summary will be posted on the City’s website later today. For more background on the project and FAQs, visit: bainbridgewa.gov/625winslowway.
| | Eagle Harbor Drive Fish Passage Project | | |
The stream bypass has now been removed, and water is once again flowing naturally through the channel and the new culvert. Last week brought a fun sight: a juvenile salmonid swimming in Cooper Creek, spotted by our Water Resources Specialist.
This week, the contractor has been preparing for today’s concrete pour of the culvert topping slab which is the surface directly above the new box culvert.
Looking ahead, crews will pour the adjacent approach slabs next week, continuing progress toward reopening this critical corridor.
The road will reopen to vehicle traffic in early October. Construction crews will remain on site through the end of October to finish the project, with only minimal flagging and delays expected.
| | Puget Sound Starts Here Month - You can take small actions to help the health of our waterways. | | |
September is Puget Sound Starts Here Month (PSSH). This public awareness campaign brings together local, state, and federal agencies, tribes, and organizations to engage people in protecting and improving water quality across the region.
This Week, Protect Water Quality!
The best form of pollution prevention is through source control. Stopping pollutants from coming into contact with precipitation prevents water pollution.
A few simple source control steps you can do at your home or business are:
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Keep the lid shut! Make sure the lid on your waste bins is closed at all times.
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Sweep driveways and parking areas regularly. After sweeping, put the waste in double plastic bags into the garbage.
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Store chemicals and other materials and waste in a safe covered place. Review the safety data sheet (SDS) for whatever product you are using to learn about safe handling, storage, and disposal.
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Dump pet waste in the trash. Pick up after your pet and put the waste in the garbage in a closed plastic bag.
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Take care of your septic system: Happy septic systems save you money and protect Kitsap’s waterways. Join a free Septic Sense Workshop (virtual Sep. 19 & 23, or in-person Oct. 3) to learn how to keep your system healthy, avoid costly repairs, and protect local creeks, lakes, and Puget Sound. Learn more and register HERE.
To learn more, stop by City booth at the Farmers’ Market Saturday, Sep. 12.
Join neighbor volunteers at 10th Annual Beach Clean Up Event on Saturday, Sep. 20! Together, we’ll work to clean up Bainbridge Island’s 53 miles of shoreline and nearshore waterways to protect our environment and wildlife. Learn more HERE.
| | Become the next City Poet Laureate! | | |
Are you passionate about poetry and eager to share your love of the written word with the community? Applications are now open for the position of Poet Laureate for the City of Bainbridge Island.
This is a unique opportunity to inspire, engage, and connect with residents through the power of poetry. Whether you’re an established poet or an emerging voice, we encourage you to apply and bring your creative vision to life.
Deadline to apply: October 15, 2025
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| Serve on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee | | |
Calling community members to serve on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for the 2026 Funding Cycle! To be eligible to serve, you must either be a member of a Bainbridge Island business that collects lodging taxes (hotel, motel, Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) or a member of a business or agency eligible to receiving lodging tax funding (nonprofit, DMO, municipality or public facilities district, etc.).
| | BI Reads Events Coming Up! | | |
September 24
LeadHERship Spotlight by the Bainbridge Community Foundation
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: The Great Room, Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN) - 8890 Three Tree Lane NE.
Description: To honor and elevate local women leaders—those who, like Genie Chance, have helped hold their communities together through communication, empathy, and action. Led by Bainbridge Community Foundation and sponsored by the City, this event fosters intergenerational dialogue, civic awareness, and community pride by highlighting the leadership roles women play in times of challenge, change, and uncertainty.
October 16
Build a Community in a Crisis Simulation
Time: 3:00-4:30 p.m. or 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Location: Bainbridge Island Senior & Community Center - 370 Brien Dr SE.
Description: This event places participants in the roles as leaders during a fictionalized, but realistic, community crisis on a table top board! Inspired by the 1964 Alaska earthquake (and Bainbridge’s own seismic risks), teams must respond to a sudden disaster, make group decisions, allocate limited resources, and keep their “neighborhood” functioning. It’s part strategy, part empathy-building, part improvisation and all about what holds a community together when the ground shifts.
Register: Eventbrite Page!
| | Day of Preparedness, Sep. 20 | | |
For the tenth year, the City of Bainbridge Island with Bainbridge Prepares, Bainbridge Island Fire Department, and Puget Sound Energy, will be hosting a community readiness expo: Day of Preparedness on Sep. 20.
Bring the whole family and learn how to prepare for earthquakes, wildfires, and other emergencies. Information booths will cover topics like communications, food and water, animal readiness, child safety, and more. PLUS giveaways while supplies last!
Learn, prepare, and connect with your community—don’t miss it!
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Councilmembers from left to right: Leslie Schneider (Central Ward - District 4), Clarence Moriwaki (Central Ward - District 5),
Ashley Mathews (South Ward - District 6), Brenda Fantroy-Johnson (North Ward - District 2), Joe Deets (North Ward - District 7),
Kirsten Hytopoulos (At Large - District 1), Jon Quitslund (South Ward, District 3)
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September 16 City Council Study Session Key Topics
- Receive Presentation on the 30% Design for the Kitsap Transit Park and Ride Lot at Day Road and State Route 305
- Consider Dave Ullin Open Water Marina Policy
- Update on the Directives Provided by the City Council on December 3, 2024 Related to Policies for the Winslow Subarea and Comprehensive Plan Update
The above agenda key topics list is not a complete list of agenda topics. Click on the button below for the full agenda. City Council Agendas are available to view the Friday before the meeting by 5pm.
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Ways to Watch
- In-person at the City Hall, City Council Chambers
- Zoom
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City website livestream (visit the Agendas & Minutes page, then click on "In Progress" when the meeting starts)
- BKAT (Channel 12 on Comcast & Channel 3 on WAVE)
Please visit the City Council page for more information on individual City Council members.
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