Hello South Kitsap!

As we enjoy the vibrant summer season, I am pleased to share several important updates and opportunities for your engagement. This month, we are launching significant initiatives to shape the future of Kitsap County. These include our first countywide survey in over two decades, major Washington State transportation improvements in Gorst, and a proposed bridge (WSDOT option C) from Highway 16 across Dyes Inlet to Highway 3, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion while addressing critical environmental and cultural considerations. The bridge is a big undertaking, and we will be seeking federal support to advance this project.

Additionally, after speaking with our sheriff, we are addressing a shortage of sheriff deputies, which poses challenges to maintaining current service levels. Without additional deputies, we may face reduced services, and we are exploring all options to ensure the safety and security of our community. Your input is vital to these efforts, and I encourage you to participate actively in shaping our shared future.

Warm regards,

Oran

"We are South Kitsap, working together for a better and unified future!"

Following up on our budget challenges, I'm pleased to report that departments and offices are now creating their budget presentations for fiscal year 2026. These presentations will be presented to the Board of Commissioners in mid-September and will be televised via Bremerton Kitsap Access Television so that everyone can watch the process.

This transparency ensures that residents can see exactly how we're addressing our $8 million budget shortfall while maintaining essential services. I encourage you to tune in and see firsthand how your tax dollars are being allocated and how we're working to balance fiscal responsibility with community needs. 

Budget presentations will be held Sept. 15-17 and 19, with deliberations beginning on Sept. 22. A final presentation is planned for Oct. 22. You can follow the action, by reviewing our full Budget Review Schedule. All meetings will be held in the Commissioners Chambers at the Kitsap County Administration Building, 619 Division Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend in person or online. For our complete list of meetings, visit our e-Agenda page.  

For the first time in over 20 years, Kitsap County is conducting a comprehensive community survey, and we want everyone to participate. The National Community Survey allows us to gather resident input for budget and strategic planning initiatives and to align our goals around the community's top priorities.

The National Community Survey captures opinions on the economy, mobility, community design, utilities, safety, natural environment, inclusivity, engagement, and other elements of Kitsap's overall livability. The results will show the County's strengths, areas for improvement, and what matters most to residents. We'll also be able to see how our performance compares to other communities across the country.

Starting today, Aug. 19, all residents aged 18 and older are asked to visit polco.us/kitsapcounty2025 and complete the survey. Responses are anonymous, and personal information is securely stored.

We strongly encourage all residents to take the survey. The more people who participate, the better data we will have to inform how we, as a Board, can best support you. This is an opportunity for everyone in the community to share their thoughts and shape the future of the County.

The survey closes on Sept. 8, 2025. For more information, call 360.337.5777 or email help@kitsap1.com.

I want to address the concerns raised by community members about Banner Forest Heritage Park. The passion and expertise shown by residents demonstrates exactly the kind of input we need to make informed decisions about this treasured park.

I've heard from many of you who are concerned about proposed forest management activities at Banner Forest. Your voices matter, and I want to assure you that no final decisions have been made. All community feedback from our six public meetings and a formal survey will be thoroughly reviewed by the Board of Commissioners during our Aug. 20 meeting.

Banner Forest holds a special place in our community as a refuge that "appeals to the higher nature" and provides a place where people can experience something approaching wildness close to home. I'm committed to ensuring that any future planning includes comprehensive consideration of the community's vision for preserving this park's unique character.

I encourage you to stay engaged as this process continues. You can find all meeting materials and updates on our Kitsap County Forest Stewardship page and you're welcome to contact Kitsap Parks at parks@kitsap.gov or me at kitsapcommissioners@kitsap.gov with any additional thoughts. Your voice is heard and valued in this process.

The Greater Peninsula Conservancy recently published an article on similar work they are doing in other areas of the County. Check out their article, 'Why We Thin Forests: The Science Behind Helping Trees Thrive,' here. 

As a Commissioner, it is vital for me to understand all the County's departments' roles and responsibilities. My first stop was the Sheriff's Department. Knowing they are struggling with staffing, I wanted to immerse myself, even if for a day, to understand the challenges. Thank you, Sheriff Gese, for allowing me this experience. I was honored for the opportunity to participate in a sheriff's ride-along with Sergeant Brandon Myers for an entire 12-hour shift on July 11. The experience was both incredibly busy and profoundly insightful, providing me with a firsthand perspective on the duties, responsibilities, and austere challenges the KCSO staff navigate daily, all while extremely short-handed.

I was particularly struck by the first call of the shift, involving a barricaded individual wanted for assault. The methodical de-escalation approach employed by the KCSO team was impressive! I witnessed poise: even after a deputy was assaulted, all remained calm and professional, and available tools were utilized, resulting in a methodical and safe outcome for the individual. The teamwork between the jail and transporting deputies ensured the continued safe and positive outcome. This demeanor reflects a mature leadership philosophy and robust training syllabus, even as deputies are continuously asked to work extra shifts, executing mandatory overtime, and forgoing critical needed time off with their families. This is a critical lens into the overall morale and readiness of the entire department. Yet, I did not hear any complaints or blame, just witnessed dedication!  All the more reason we must do better at taking care of those who put their lives on the line daily!

Every deputy I encountered exemplified exceptional professionalism and a genuine passion for their work, embodying the spirit of those who serve in the arena. Each call was distinctly unique, and Sgt. Myers patiently guided me through each one, answering all my questions—no matter how uninformed or unconventional—with a unique perspective of experience, advanced knowledge, big-picture foresight, and patience. These qualities were consistently evident during the shift in different areas of the County, validating my observations and deepening my appreciation for the professional expertise.

I am deeply proud of the dedication the KCSO team shows in serving our community every day. Be proud—they bring great credit to themselves, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department, and all the citizens of Kitsap County!

Axios has a great article about the challenges with law enforcement recruitment and retention in Washington state.  Read it here: Washington state still dead last in police staffing for 15th year - Axios Seattle.

Major Long-Term Study - Gorst Area Transportation Solutions: WSDOT is also conducting a comprehensive $6 million Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study examining State Routes 3, 16, 166, and 304 in the Gorst area. This study, running from June 2024 through March 2026, evaluates alternatives to improve mobility, safety, active transportation, and system resiliency for all roadway users.

Of particular interest is WSDOT's Alternative C, which proposes a bridge spanning Dyes Inlet. This option could significantly improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the Gorst bottleneck. Community input and support will be crucial as WSDOT evaluates this and other alternatives. Study partners, including tribes, state, local, and federal agencies, and community members will be invited to review and share input on recommended alternatives in fall and winter 2025.

For more information on the comprehensive Gorst study, visit: https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-studies/sr-3-gorst-area-planning-and-environmental-linkages-study.

These transportation improvements represent critical infrastructure investments for our region's future connectivity and economic development.

Recognizing success! Recently, I had the honor of attending the graduation ceremony for the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy in Bremerton and I am extremely proud of all these successful graduates. This remarkable program has been transforming young lives since 2009, and recently the school celebrated its 4,000th graduate—17-year-old Tristyn Williams from Spokane.

The Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy is a free, state-run life intervention and credit retrieval program that provides at-risk youth with a highly disciplined, safe, and professional learning environment. Students live on campus for five months and can recover up to 8.0 credits (approximately 1.3 years of high school credits) through this intensive residential program.

The program combines academic recovery with leadership development, community service, and mentoring. It serves as an excellent pathway not only for high school graduation but also for those considering military service. The Academy's quasi-military training approach builds discipline and personal responsibility while providing supportive relationships that ensure long-term impact.

For families with teens aged 15-18 who are struggling in traditional school settings, this program offers hope and a proven path forward. Any eligible Washington state resident can apply for this transformative opportunity. Learn more at Youth Academy | Washington State Military Department.

Emergency alerts keep Kitsap residents updated on potential life-threatening dangers—from countywide winter storms to neighborhood gas leaks. Sign up for alerts for your address to receive timely notifications, whether you're at home or away.

Visit kcowa.us/alert now to sign up and learn more about KitsapALERT.

Step In, Speak Up: Be Part of Your Neighborhood Community Council

Join the Manchester Community Advisory Council (MCAC) at their regular monthly meetings the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Manchester Library.

Visit the MCAC webpage for more information including meeting dates, agendas, and membership. You can also view materials from prior meetings and learn about council members.

The Commissioners' Office public service counter is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For questions or appointments with the Commissioners, please email kitsapcommissioners@kitsap.gov or call 360.337.7080.

For county services and questions, or to report speeding in your neighborhood, email help@kitsap1.com or call 360.337.5777.

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