Bainbridge Islanders,
We are in budget preparation season. The City’s finance department is preparing the City’s financial plan for the next two-year period. A draft balanced biennial budget for 2023 and 2024 will be presented to the City Council next month. The fiscal year runs from January 1-December 31 for all cities, counties, and most special purpose districts in Washington, which is unlike the State of Washington’s fiscal period that runs from July 1 to June 30. The City of Bainbridge Island must conduct its last public hearing on the budget no later than the first Monday in December, and the budget must be adopted no later than December 31. We hope to adopt the budget on December 13.
The budget relies upon projections, and in order to project our year-end financial position, staff must project income and expenditures from now until the end of the Fiscal Year on December 31, 2022. Next, staff projects income and expenses over the 12-month period of 2023. Staff also projects income and expenses for 2024 because we adopt a multi-year, two-year budget. Budget projections are difficult enough during periods of relative economic calm. It is much more difficult providing economic projections during periods of high economic volatility, like the one we currently are in.
We are in the early stages of recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. We do not know how society and the economy will react. We are in the midst of a period of high inflation, supply chain disruption, international and domestic uncertainty, and a war in Europe. There are many advantages to a multi-year budget. A weakness with a multi-year budget is the difficulty to estimate the second-year budget with precision, especially in periods of economic volatility.
The budget may not recommend all the expenditures that everyone might want, but I can assure you, the budget presented to City Council will be balanced. In this period of economic uncertainty, the 2023 and 2024 budget will be conservative in its approach but also cautiously optimistic.
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Best,
Blair King
City Manager
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Bike for Pie is THIS Sunday, Aug 28! |
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Bainbridge Island Bicycle Advocates, Squeaky Wheels, will be hosting Bike for Pie on Sunday, Aug. 28. This event is for the whole family. Registration runs from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the Bainbridge Island Town Square where the Farmer's Market takes place next to City Hall. The official ride begins at 10 a.m. and will end at 1 p.m.
The City will have a table at the event giving out ice cream bars and talking to Islanders about our Sustainable Transportation Plan, which includes bikes, pedestrians, and public transportation. We will also be talking about the plans we have for the Sound to Olympic Trail and how to complete parts of the Great American Rail Trail potentially working with other jurisdictions. Bainbridge Island's Parks and Trails Foundation will be there as well talking about the Rail Trail.
More information on the Bike for Pie can be found on the Squeaky Wheels website.
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Volunteer for Beach Clean up September 10 |
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The 7th annual Bainbridge Island Beach Clean Up is only three weeks away. You can help make our shorelines healthier for people and wildlife by signing up as an individual or in groups to clean up a beach or road end location. Sustainable Bainbridge will be awarding a special prize in a random drawing for the craziest piece of trash found or for the most interesting piece of trash upcycled or artcycled.
Visit Sustainable Bainbridge's website, HERE, to learn more and sign up.
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City to fund Visitor Projects and Activities for 2023 |
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The City is seeking proposals for visitor serving projects and activities for 2023. The awarded proposals will be funded by the City’s Lodging Tax revenues.
There is approximately $350,000 available. Eligible proposals are limited to visitor marketing projects, operations, special events or festivals, or eligible capital facilities. Applicants may seek a minimum award of $2,000 and a maximum award of $175,000.
Proposals will be provided to the City’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) for review and comment. The advisory committee will provide its recommendations to the City Council for the final funding decision.
The deadline for applications is 4:00 p.m. Thursday, September 29. Email applications and questions to cityadmin@bainbridgewa.gov
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Take the Housing Action Plan Survey |
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The Housing Action Plan is intended to help develop an understanding of our housing needs, how much and for whom, and the means and methods to address these identified housing needs. The City is asking for your input in a survey about housing.
You can take the survey online, HERE, through the end of September.
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Household Chemicals Collection Event Sep 17 |
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Bring your select, unwanted household and lawn/garden hazardous materials for free disposal to the City’s Operations and Maintenance Facility (7305 NE Hidden Cove Rd, Bainbridge Island) on Saturday, Sep. 17 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Plan Ahead: For more information to plan ahead, visit the event webpage and checkout the flyer to see what will be and what won’t be accepted.
This collection event is for North Kitsap residents in partnership with the City and Kitsap County. No business waste accepted. If you don't see your items on the list, the Household Hazardous Waste facility in Bremerton takes much more.
Thank you for helping keep our land and waters safe and attractive by disposing of waste properly.
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City Arborist & Climate Officer Talk Urban Tree Care September 14 |
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Join the City's Arborist and Climate Officer to talk about urban trees: how to choose the right species for the right space, how to plant correctly, and how to care for trees to maximize their success rate. Learn about tree-related considerations in the City's Climate Action Plan with an in-depth discussion about tree selection, cultural conditions, species diversity, and planting.
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Reduce Pollution with Electric Landscaping Tools |
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Gas-powered lawn and garden equipment causes air pollution with negative impacts for both people and our environment.
Did you know? Running a commercial gas-powered leaf blower for an hour produces about as much pollution as driving a 2017 Toyota Camry 1,100 miles!
This is just one reason the City is currently working to replace gas-powered landscaping tools with electric options. Electric options also tend to have better safety features and are much quieter than gas-powered tools.
There are many types of zero-emission lawn and garden equipment available on the market today. Learn more about electric options for landscaping tools and how to go electric on the City’s website.
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Bainbridge Island Police Department |
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First Electric City Vehicle! |
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You will soon see the City’s first fully electric vehicle on the streets; a Ford Mach-E. The Mach-E has zero emissions and marks the beginning of the City’s transition to electric vehicles.
The vehicle will be assigned to the Police Department. The department will be using the vehicle in several different capacities as well as evaluating the car’s suitability for patrol purpose. The department will be evaluating the range over a 12-hour shift, length of time to recharge the vehicle, capacity to carry the necessary equipment, and how it handles in all weather conditions. The department will identify challenges and solutions as the City moves forward toward an electric fleet.
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Permits Counter Hours Expanded - Fees Increase Sep 1 |
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New Counter Hours
8 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1.p.m.-3 p.m.
EVERY weekday, Mon-Fri.
Staff are ready to assist you with your planning and permit needs. You can also still go online for our online permit center.
REMINDER: Permit Fees go up Sep 1
Find a full list of fees here.
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Seeking to Fund Local Human Service Programs |
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The City of Bainbridge Island is seeking proposals to provide funding for local nonprofit organizations to help support human service programs in the community during the 2023-2024 funding cycle. A total of $660,000 will be available for distribution through the two-year funding cycle for the selected projects.
Applicant and project requirements are included in the Request for Proposals available on the City's website.
Applications are due on Sep. 29. There will be an informational meeting Sep. 7 at 1 p.m. via Zoom for anyone interested in learning more about the RFP.
The Zoom link for informational meeting can be found on our website or via the direct Zoom link HERE. or call in by telephone 1-253-215-8782 (Webinar ID: 879 8596 1668). Attendance is not required to apply for funding.
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Delays on SR305 near Murden Creek August 22-31 |
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The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) issued an alert for expected delays on the SR305 near Murden Creek. Please allow for extra travel time during the week days starting Mon. Aug 22.
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekday through Aug 31
- Travelers approaching North Madison Avenue Northeast/Sportsman Club Road Northeast can expect occasional traffic stops.
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While crews will work as quickly as soon as possible, travelers can expect at least 20-minute delays.
Travelers are encouraged to add time especially if they are going to the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal. If possible, please consider going before or after the work.
This type of work must be done during daylight hours due to safety reasons.
The work is related to fish barrier removal project at Murden Creek. To make room for the improvements, crews will temporarily stop traffic during tree felling. Information about the tree replacement program is available vis the WSDOT blog.
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Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site Cleanup Activities |
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Cleanup investigations are currently underway at the former Wyckoff wood-treatment facility, located at the mouth of Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island.
This summer and fall, vegetation clearing, geophysical surveying, air and noise monitoring, sub-surface drilling, test pitting, and infiltration testing will occur on site. All work will be directed and overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and most work will be performed inside the fenced in area.
Planned Work Outside the Former Process Area
All work will be performed within the fenced in Former Process Area, except for the following activities (dates are approximate):
- September 8: Deployment of an unmanned aerial system, or drone, to collect aerial imagery and/or topographic survey data of the Former Process Area and beaches. The beach will remain open to the public on this day.
For more information contact EPA Lead Project Manager:
Jacob Moersen, Moersen.Jacob@epa.gov or 206-553-0542.
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The next scheduled City Council Regular Business Meeting will be on Sept. 13. Key topics include:
- Proclamation declaring "Puget Sound Starts Here" month
- Proclamation for Community Preparedness Month
- Discussion of the results of an Islandwide Speed Limit evaluation
Ways to Watch
- In-person at the City Hall City Council Chambers
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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
The public is invited to contact members of the City Council to express concerns, questions and praise. Some council members are holding virtual office hours and others are available to meet upon request.
Please visit the City Council page for more information on individual City Council members.
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Thursday, Sep.1 New permitting Fees take effect
Tuesday, Sept. 6 Council Study Session canceled
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Saturday, Sep. 10 Beach Clean Up Event
Tuesday, Sept. 13 Council Regular Business Meeting
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