 December 2025
Dear District 1 Neighbors!
Greetings and happy holidays. As we close out 2025 and look toward the year ahead, I'm reflecting on what we've accomplished together and the ongoing work that will shape our communities for years to come.
This year brought significant progress—from expanding healthcare access and preserving critical parklands to advancing major infrastructure projects and planning for sustainable growth. We also faced real fiscal challenges that required difficult decisions and collaborative problem-solving across every department.
Your engagement and input continue to guide my work as your commissioner. Whether it's feedback on regional transportation planning, participation in public outreach, or questions about County services, your voice matters.
I welcome your thoughts on any of these issues at crolfes@kitsap.gov.
Balancing Our 2026 Budget: Tough Choices, Essential Services
Earlier this month, we adopted Kitsap County's 2026 budget—$650 million for all operations, with $137.9 million dedicated to our General Fund. This General Fund supports law enforcement, courts, staffing, and the essential services our community depends on daily.
We balanced this budget through a 3% across-the-board cut and a one-time $300,000 drawdown from County reserves. These weren't easy decisions. A $4 million cost increase over 2025—driven by inflation in insurance, medical care, jail health services, and other core expenses—meant we had to make difficult choices to maintain services while living within our means.
Every family in Kitsap feels the impact of rising costs. County government is no exception. Under state law, counties face strict limits on property tax revenue growth each year. To address this gap, every department reviewed programs and identified efficiencies. With a hiring freeze, we eliminated nearly 25 vacant full-time positions from the General Fund—a significant ongoing cost reduction that allowed us to protect core services and public safety.
Our six-year forecast shows our budget challenges will persist as costs continue outpacing revenues. I'm committed to working with County leadership and community partners to identify lasting solutions through operational efficiencies, service reviews, and exploring options permitted under state law. Budget materials are available on the County's Budget and Finance page, and I welcome your input at crolfes@kitsap.gov.
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2025: A Year of Partnership and Progress
Looking back on 2025, I'm proud of what we accomplished together as a community. From addressing our most vulnerable neighbors to planning for long-term growth, here are some highlights:
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Community Engagement That Works
Over 4,000 Kitsap residents participated in our first community survey in 20 years. Your feedback is already shaping our priorities around economic development, affordable housing, health care access, and quality of life.
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Expanding Health Care Access
Olympic College's state-of-the-art health care education hub in Poulsbo completed Phase 1 thanks to a public-private partnership that included $6 million in County ARPA funds. We also welcomed new MultiCare and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health emergency facilities across the County.
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Planning for Our Future
We finalized comprehensive plans including Year of the Rural, the Parks Recreation & Open Space Plan, and updates to our County Comprehensive Plan, which will guide responsible growth for years to come and preserve what truly makes Kitsap special.
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Improving Infrastructure
WSDOT completed SR 305 roundabouts and is advancing fish passage projects across multiple highways. These investments improve salmon habitat while managing traffic growth.
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Protecting Our Environment
Volunteers removed over 40,000 pounds of litter through our Adopt-A-Spot program. The noxious weed disposal program doubled participation. Our Bring Your Own Cup campaign engaged 38 local coffee shops in reducing single-use waste. We also saw tremendous participation in our Fix-It Fairs.
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Showcasing Kitsap
We're working with community partners to get ready to welcome the world during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Bremerton serving as an official FanZone destination.
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Supporting Our Most Vulnerable
The Pacific Building opened with 75 beds for people in transition. We preserved affordable housing at Time Square in Kingston, protecting low-income seniors and disabled residents from displacement.
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Departmental Excellence
Our DCD team streamlined permit review operations, reducing existing review queue from 21 weeks to 4 weeks, and launched a new derelict vessel retrieval program. We welcomed new leadership across multiple departments who are bringing fresh perspectives and proven expertise. |
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Preserving Parklands
We completed the Eglon Forest Park transfer—705.8 acres of wetlands, old-growth trees, and salmon habitat now protected for future generations.
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Budget Discipline
We balanced a challenging budget while maintaining essential services and protecting public safety.
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Point No Point Reopens
 I want to thank our Hansville neighbors for your patience during the repair and restoration work at Point No Point Park.
I know the construction activity, parking and traffic challenges, and extended timeline brought disruptions to the community, and your understanding throughout this process has been deeply appreciated.
The project is now complete. A significant portion of the timeline was driven by a complex, multi-agency permitting process required for shoreline work and environmental restoration. While time-intensive, these permits ensure the work meets safety standards, environmental requirements, and protect this treasured shoreline for future generations.
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To express our gratitude and celebrate the completion, we recently held a small neighborhood gathering at the park. We're fortunate to have so many neighbors who care deeply about Point No Point, its history, and its future.
As we welcome visitors, we ask everyone to help protect the improvements by following on-site signage and respecting fenced restoration areas so new plantings can become established.
For questions about the project or Kitsap County Parks, contact parks@kitsap.gov.
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Commissioner's Corner: Inside the Central Kitsap Treatment Plant
Every day, the Central Kitsap Treatment Plant processes approximately four million gallons of wastewater, transforming it into clean water that returns to Puget Sound 98-99% cleaner than when it arrived. This facility treats wastewater from Silverdale, Bangor, Keyport, Poulsbo, and septage from about 60,000 septic tanks throughout the County.
In my latest Commissioner's Corner video, I spoke with Senior Program Manager Nick Martin and Operations Manager Matt Pickering about how this critical infrastructure protects our environment and what residents can do to support the system.
The treatment plant operates 24/7 to prevent beach closures, protect marine life, and turn waste into resources—converting approximately 1,000 tons of biosolids annually into agricultural products. Looking ahead, we're working toward producing Class A recycled water for irrigation and other uses.
You can help by never flushing wet wipes or pharmaceuticals, and never pouring fats, oils, and grease down the sink. These simple actions reduce maintenance costs and protect both the County's system and your home plumbing.
Watch my full episode of Commissioner's Corner on BKAT's YouTube channel.
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Be a Voice for Your Community!
If you live in District 1, from Hansville to north Highway 303 in Silverdale, consider applying to serve on a Kitsap County advisory group. Share your experience and insights to help support our communities; create plans and strategies to accommodate growth and development; and implement programs that ensure and improve quality of life.
Current volunteer needs:
Click here to complete an application. Advisory group members are appointed by County Commissioners and play an essential role in local government, serving as conduits between residents, businesses, communities, County staff, and commissioners.
Learn more about County advisory groups and find position descriptions for current vacancies at kcowa.us/advisorygroups.
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