P.G. S’Klallam Tribe plans improvements
LITTLE BOSTON — The Port Gamble S’Klallam Housing Authority will use a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to rehabilitate additional low-rent homes in the S’Klallam Hill neighborhood, as well as three privately owned houses constructed under an earlier HUD program.
These units generally contain asbestos in the wallboard, ceiling and flooring that will be abated as part of the rehabilitation process, HUD reported. The overall rehabilitation of the structures will include flooring, plumbing, installation of energy efficient fixtures, furnace replacement and siding.
“These grants will support our Native American communities as they work to improve housing conditions and neighborhoods,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in an announcement of $1.5 million in block grants awarded to Tribal governments in Washington state. “HUD will continue to be a steadfast partner to Tribes as they design and execute their community development plans.”
The Indian Community Block Grant Program was established in 1977 to help Tribes and Alaska Native villages meet their community development needs, including decent housing, healthy living environments, and economic opportunities.
Poulsbo Fire awarded grant to hire firefighters
POULSBO — Poulsbo Fire Department will soon hire three firefighters, thanks to a FEMA Staffing for Fire Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant.
The grant, for $706,428, will pay for 75 percent of the personnel costs for the first and second year, 35 percent for the third year. After that, the department must absorb the cost.
“After careful consideration by the Poulsbo Fire Board of Commissioners, we are excited to be able to maintain and increase our response reliability,” Fire Chief Jeffrey Griffin said in an announcement of the grant. “In particular, keeping Station 72 in Surfcrest open 24/7 has been our priority and the hiring of these firefighters will help us reach this goal. We are confident we will be able to support the salaries after the duration of the grant. These additional firefighters are essential to the safety of our community, and this puts us in a better position to serve our citizens.”
Officials said the timing of this couldn’t be better. “We were in the position of preparing to hire new firefighters, and the grant ensures this can be accomplished,” Griffin said. “We thank the commissioners for choosing to accept this grant, and thank Battalion Chief Jim Gillard for all his hard work crafting the grant application.”
Griffin added, “Our firefighters work hard to protect our community and provide emergency medical assistance. With the continued growth in our community, actually being able to increase our staffing is a vital part of meeting the needs of our citizens. Adequate staffing is an investment in our own safety, and the safety of our families.”
Bonds raise $24M for city projects
OLYMPIA — The City of Poulsbo will purchase 10 new fleet vehicles, including nine new police vehicles, with its proceeds from the state’s sale of Certificates of Participation, a form of financing used by municipal and other government entities.
The Office of the State Treasurer’s offering attracted 12 bidders, with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC offering the lowest bid, the treasurer’s office reported.
The Certificates of Participation will help finance equipment needed by 18 local governments across Washington.
“As a former Benton County treasurer, I’m well aware how COP financing can save local governments money,” State Treasurer Duane Davidson said in the announcement of the sale. “The Treasurer’s Office COP program can be a great option to get low-cost financing for local capital projects. We want more local governments to consider this as they review their capital financing options.”
COPs are certificates issued by the State Treasurer as a way for school districts, fire districts, cities and other municipalities to finance equipment and real estate at a low rate. The state issues the certificates using the state’s credit rating, and the local groups who want to finance their equipment make the repayment. By using the financing power of the State Treasurer, local districts get a fixed low-cost rate, likely considerably lower than what they would pay if they were financing this equipment or real estate on their own, the State Treasurer reported.
‘Understanding Levies for North Kitsap’ forum Oct. 3
POULSBO — A public forum, “Understanding Levies for North Kitsap,” is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. Oct. 3 in the North Kitsap School District Board Room, 18360 NE Caldart Ave., Poulsbo.
What is a capital levy? What does “enrichment levy” mean, and what is considered enrichment? North Kitsap School District invites staff, parents and community to learn about two upcoming proposed levies and ask questions.
“Much has changed in the past few months in Washington state and we hope to help our stakeholders gain a better understanding of what the changes are, why they are important to upcoming proposed levies, and how they affect North Kitsap,” a district announcement stated.
