Bainbridge Islanders,
At the City Council meeting on February 28, City Manager Blair King presented Finance Director DeWayne Pitts with three awards – the Government Finance Officers Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Washington Public Treasurers Association State Investment and Debt Policy certifications for the City’s commitment to meeting best practice standards. These awards spanned a couple of years of work and demonstrate excellence in financial reporting and stewardship across the organization.
Finance is a function in which the better the work, the less people know that it’s happening. This makes it important for me to take a moment to say thank you and congratulations to the City’s Finance team, made up of accountants, analysts, administrative personnel and others in the Finance Department, along with project managers, administrative specialists, and contract coordinators in all departments.
Excellent management of the public’s money has a host of benefits from predictable and efficient processes, transparent accountability, to lower interest rates when we need to borrow for a major project.
Thanks to DeWayne and his team for doing the work that earned recognition from national and state professional organizations and who provide excellence in public service.
Best,
Ellen Schroer
Deputy City Manager
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City Update
This week on video:
Governor's proposed budget on
WWU Peninsulas education expansion,
Police safety report, Climate Smart Challenge
and more!
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23rd Legistlative District Town Hall TOMORROW- March 11 |
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Lawmakers from the 23rd Legislative District will provide a brief update on budget priorities and discuss legislation on a range of issues, including affordable housing, public safety, education, clean air and water, local jobs and infrastructure, health care, and more.
Open Town Hall at Bainbridge Island City Hall tomorrow, Saturday, March 11, at 1:30 p.m. with Sen. Rolfes, Rep. Hansen, and Rep. Simmons.
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Daylight Saving this Sunday - Spring Ahead! |
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Don't forget, Sunday begins Daylight Saving.
Be sure to push your clocks forward one hour.
The official time switch begins at
2 a.m. this Sun., March 12.
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Hiring Equity and Inclusion Manager |
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The City of Bainbridge Island seeks an innovative thinker to be the first Equity and Inclusion Manager at the City. In order to dismantle systemic and structural racism within our government and community, City leadership is committed to a long-term action plan that recognizes the differences between individual, institutional, and structural racism, as well as the history and current reality of inequities for all marginalized groups. Click on the button below to learn more about the job posting and application process. |
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Naming the New Police/Court Building |
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Sound to Olympics Trail Update |
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At next week's City Council Regular Business Meeting (March 14 at 6:00 p.m.), Public Works staff will provide an update on the Sound to Olympics Trail (STO) corridor study. The STO Kitsap Regional Trail is a regional trail system that is envisioned to link Kitsap communities and the national Great American Rail Trail connecting the Seattle Waterfront Pathway to the east with the Olympic Discovery Trail. On Bainbridge Island, the trail will generally follow the SR 305 right-of-way to create a linear park and transit and neighborhood connections.
The City’s consultant has been tasked with preparing a 20% design for the segment between Sakai Park and Madison Avenue and preparing a planning study for the alignment between Madison Avenue and the Agate Pass Bridge.
Public Open-House on March 29 at City Hall for public input on the project.
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Final Event for City's First Community Reads Book THIS MONDAY |
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A different Climate Smart topic will be highlighted each month as part of the City’s 2023 push to get at least 550 island households signed up and completing actions in the Climate Smart Challenge. In March, Islanders are encouraged to complete “Eat Green and Waste Less” actions in the Challenge. This week, eat wonky fruits!
Did you know? Approximately 40% of the food grown in the US gets wasted – in part because people often choose only the most perfect looking fruit and veggies when shopping. Every year, 30 million acres of farmland and 4.2 trillion gallons of water are used to grow food in the US that never gets eaten. Instead, it can rot in landfills and create methane, a powerful greenhouse gas 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.
You can help reduce climate pollution and earn points by completing the “Choose the Wonky Fruit” action in the Challenge! By choosing to purchase imperfect fruits and vegetables, you’ll help reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Everyone who earns at least 10,000 points in the Challenge by the end of May will be entered to win one of five home composting bins. Learn more about the Challenge and upcoming community events by visiting the City’s website.
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COBI Chats on Waste Regulations March 22 |
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The City is offering monthly “COBI Chats on Waste Regulations” to connect with local businesses impacted by the 2023 waste reduction regulations. Local food and lodging businesses can talk with City staff in an informal setting to address questions or concerns associated with implementation of the new waste reduction regulations. Snacks will be provided.
When: Wed., March 22 from 3 - 4 p.m.
Where: Bainbridge Island Downtown Association, 147 Madrone Ln N
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The next scheduled City Council Regular Business Meeting will be on March 14. Key topics include:
- City Council appointments to Police and Municipal Court Building Naming Advisory Committee
- Review 2022 Year-End balance and provide direction for the disposition or expenditure of remaining funds.
- Update on Sound to Olympics (STO) Trail Study Corridor
- Budget request workplan for Race Equity Advisory Committee
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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