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2024 Volume 1
Hello Central Kitsap!
Happy 2024!
The year is off to a fast start, and I am grateful to serve as this year's Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. There's a lot of activity underway in the first quarter to share with you.
In early January the BOCC approved a pilot to address wayward shopping carts in the Silverdale area. This has been something I've been working towards since I took office, and I look forward to seeing a dramatic improvement in the number of stray carts along County roads and right of ways.
I also participated in Kitsap Public Health District's (KPHD) Community Health Prioritization Convening. The KPHD team provided an excellent overview of the Community Health Improvement Plan process, and the 17 themes that emerged in an earlier meeting. We were asked to assess and collectively identify the top three priorities to focus our joint efforts. The areas that rose to the top were: healthcare access, mental health/substance use disorder, and housing/homelessness.
I've continued my focus on workforce and economic development, convening a meeting with leadership of Olympic College and key health and dental stakeholders in Kitsap County. After successfully launching Phase 1 of OC's healthcare workforce program expansion, we discussed what it will take to make Phase 2 a reality. I also participated in the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance's (KEDA) Workforce Roundtable.
I started February spending time with our State Legislators in Olympia to further the interests of Kitsap County. I'm headed to Washington, D.C. this month to represent Kitsap County at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference, where I sit on the Community, Economic, and Workforce Development Steering Committee and National Arts and Culture Commission.
I look forward to another year of service to my community. As always, I encourage you to reach out with your comments and suggestions.
Best, Katie
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Addressing access
Kitsap County Public Works is in the process of developing an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Transition Plan to guide when and where mobility improvements need to be made. This plan focuses on pedestrian facilities in the Public Right-of-Way including curb ramps, sidewalks, crosswalks, and signal push buttons.
The development of a comprehensive ADA Transition Plan requires feedback from community members just like you! To complete the survey and for more information, please visit: http://www.kitsapada.com.
Do you have a specific location that makes travel difficult for you or prevents you from accessing programs or activities? Please use the Online Reporting Tool to notify Public Works of your ADA concerns.
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Planning for future growth
Kitsap County recently released draft updates to the Comprehensive Plan. Find the project overview and schedule, sign up for electronic notifications, get answers to frequently asked questions, and view the comprehensive plan storyboard, at: kcowa.us/compplan.
Questions? Email compplan@kitsap.gov
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Property tax relief for seniors
In 2023, the Washington State Legislature passed Substitute House Bill 1355 (SHB 1355). The bill increased the amount of disposable income a person can earn and be eligible for the property tax exemption (Exemption Program) for qualifying senior citizens, people retired due to disability, and disabled veterans for property taxes levied for collection in 2024.
SHB 1355 took effect July 23, 2023, for taxes levied for collection in 2024. You can read more on the Department of Revenue site.
The Kitsap County Auditor's office created a video, which reviews the program highlights & qualifications for the Exemption Program. Click here to watch the short video.
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Supporting transparent and accountable public services
At the end of 2023, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners approved a contract authorizing Kitsap County Sheriff John Gese to purchase and deploy body-worn and in-vehicle cameras for Kitsap County Sheriff’s Deputies. Deployment of the cameras and training with the new state-of-the-art cameras began in early 2024. This collaborative effort is a significant technological step forward for evidence collection and documentation.
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Join the Central Kitsap Community Council on Wednesday, March 6 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue headquarters station.
Representatives from the County will be providing updates on the County's Critical Areas Ordinance and Sewer Utility Capital Projects in CK.
Visit the CKCC webpage for more information including meeting dates, agendas, and membership. You can also view materials from the February meeting, which included an update on the County's Comprehensive Plan update.
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Celebrate environmental stewardship!
Each year, Kitsap County Public Works and the Board of County Commissioners recognize groups and individuals for their work in environmental education, habitat restoration, recycling, litter control, water quality, and more.
Do you know an individual, group, or business that deserves to be celebrated for their environmental efforts?
Click here and submit a nomination before March 24, 2024.
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Learn why we love working at Kitsap County!
Mark your calendar and join us at the Kitsap County Job Fair on March 19 at the Kitsap County Administration Building (619 Division St, Port Orchard). You’ll learn about the diverse job opportunities that are available at Kitsap County.
Anyone looking for summer work should come prepared for an interview! We are interviewing and, in some cases, hiring, on-site for our Summer Employment Program!
Learn more about the program at kcowa.us/summer.
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Connect with the County
The Commissioners' Office public service counter is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions or appointments, please email kitsapcommissioners@kitsap.gov or call 360.337.7080.
For County services or questions, email help@kitsap1.com or call 360.337.5777.
If this was forwarded to you and you'd like to stay informed about happenings in Central Kitsap, click here to subscribe.
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