Kitsap Transit will ask the Bainbridge Island City Council to extend its marketing campaign for BI Rides into next year at its meeting Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. at City Hall and on Zoom.

The move won’t cost the city any more than the $100,000 already provided for the project. But KT expects about $26,000 of that money will still be unspent by the end of this year.

A new agreement would just extend the date. The priority audience in this phase will be residents, while in the summer the focus also included tourists.

The funds have been used for: social media and traditional marketing; subsidizing rides for targeted groups like seniors and youth; information campaigns for community groups; stakeholder engagement; and distribution of complimentary ORCA cards to youth.

The council also will be updated on South Island Sewer Wastewater Treatment negotiations with Kitsap County Sewer District 7.

The system was constructed in the early 2000s with BI owning the collection and pumping system, with the county sewer district providing wastewater treatment. The agreement limits connections to 480. About 350 are connected, with 130 in reserve.

In spring of 2022, the council asked city staff to negotiate with the district for more sewer capacity. Negotiations have led to 25 more, which likely would last five years. The city and district will work on the expansion area over the next four years.

To prioritize the connections, applications will be accepted for 12 months, and once a year for a minimum of four years, and seven will be agreed upon. Priority would go to: existing residence with septic emergency or one with old septic; two or more affordable multi-family units or multi-family units; new single-family unit; and new commercial use.

Five parcels have requested connections under the previous policy.