Tank replacement
The Bainbridge City Council has authorized staff to explore alternative financing options for the Winslow Water Tank Replacement Project, at an estimated cost of $11.5 million.
The tank, one of two located near the Commodore neighborhood, was built in 1973 and needs to be replaced due to structural and capacity issues. The two options reviewed by the council were a Federal Emergency Management Agency Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant and a low interest loan from the state Drinking Water Revolving Fund.
Property tax
The Bainbridge Island City Council will make a final consideration on a 1 percent property tax levy increase at its Nov. 10 meeting.
The 1 percent property tax levy increase is the maximum amount allowed by state law. The owner of a median-priced home of $787,000 will pay roughly an additional $4 in property tax to the city if the council approves the 1 percent increase.
As part of the annual budget process, cities must first establish the total dollar amount of property tax revenue they wish to generate for the next year. The increase in revenue is used to pay for increases in ongoing costs supported by the General Fund, such as personnel and repair and maintenance, which typically increase by more than 1 percent each year.
Property tax is the city’s single largest revenue source. It represents about 9 percent of the total tax bill paid by Bainbridge Island property owners each year.
Scope narrowed
The Bainbridge City Council has narrowed the scope of the development moratorium on Major Site Plan and Design Reviews and Major Conditions Use permit proposals to apply only to shoreline properties in the Winslow Master Plan Study Area.
Shoreline regulations apply within 200 feet of the Ordinary High Water Mark, generally described as where shoreline vegetation changes from salt tolerant to upland plant.
On Sept. 22, the council approved a six-month extension of the moratorium to allow staff time to complete integration of the updated critical areas ordinance into the Shoreline Master Program. This is the final workplan item for the moratorium, which has been in place since January 2018. If the CAO integration work is completed prior to six months, the council will consider terminating the moratorium.
Stillwaters auction
Stillwaters fundraising effort called Ebb and Flow kicks off Sunday at 7 p.m. with its online auction and pledge drive.
Online programs during the week include: Estate Planning during a Pandemic at noon Monday; Interning at Stillwaters Tuesday at 4 p.m.; Keynote speaker author Mindy Roberts Wednesday at 4 p.m.; the Carpenter Creek Watershed Thursday at 7 p.m.; and last call Sunday at 7 p.m. with the auction closing at 10 p.m.
Stillwaters mission is to advance scientific research, education,and restoration on Puget Sound lowland streams.
Links to participate are on the Stillwaters home page at www.stillwatersec.org
Vet car wash
As a way of saying “thank you” Brown Bear Car Wash will offer free washes to all current or former members of the military on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
Locally, the free washes will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Poulsbo at 18764 State Highway 305 North.
