Port Orchard officials say the City of Bremerton’s decision to leave the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council has them unsure about how it will impact the regional organization.

Councilman Fred Chang said he’s “bemused” by the Bremerton council’s move.

“Their decision was unanimous,” he said. “It’s unclear why they reached that conclusion. I’ve heard that a couple of their council members want more representation on issues and aren’t happy” with its makeup.

Chang said Port Orchard’s KRCC representatives haven’t heard about what decisions Bremerton was dissatisfied.

Port Orchard’s council, he added, has been generally “content” with the KRCC’s current makeup.

Port Orchard Mayor Tim Matthes questioned how Bremerton’s departure will impact KRCC’s clout. “Will KRCC still be called a Kitsap regional organization when almost one-half of the our total cities’ populations are not represented?”

Council member and KRCC representative Bek Ashby also isn’t certain why Bremerton is leaving the council. But by doing so, she said both that city and the regional council will lose out.

“By removing themselves, they won’t have representation on policy issues or the KRCC executive level,” Ashby said. Bremerton “has taken itself out of the (transportation) conversation locally. I’m not sure how effective that will be for them.”

The city’s departure from the council will be felt by KRCC, the Port Orchard councilwoman said. “One thing is certain – KRCC will miss the leadership and experience of Patty Lent (Bremerton’s mayor). It will be difficult to see her not involved in these issues.”

Bremerton has a six-month window before its withdrawal takes effect. At the Port Orchard council meeting May 12,  Ashby said Bremerton’s departure will affect KRCC’s budget in 2016. That city’s dues this year are approximately $23,000. Port Orchard pays dues of about $6,000 this year.