BY STEVE BAUER

KITSAP COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT #1

Kitsap County had a very successful year in 2007. We balanced the budget for the first time since about 2001 without dipping into reserves to pay for ongoing programs. This was a big effort that required a great partnership between county staff and the county’s elected officials.

But this action only solved the problem for one year – and at the expense of cutting funding for 33 positions. Long term, we must either make fundamental changes in county practices and services or find new revenues. This isn’t something the county can solve by itself. We need to involve our citizens in reviewing the budget and making recommendations for the future. We will put together a special Citizens’ Budget Committee this year to examine all aspects of county operations and make recommendations to the county board of commissioners and the public on how to insure county services are sustainable for the long term.

Speaking of sustainability, we know all of us could save money by being more energy efficient. The county is no exception. Another group of citizen volunteers will be asked to suggest how we can reduce energy consumption. This is a win-win for the county and taxpayers because it means we save tax dollars without compromising our services.

In the fall, the board of commissioners moved from daytime to evening meetings to allow citizens to attend without having to take time off work. We’ve had good attendance and citizens seem to appreciate the new meeting schedule. Our meetings are broadcast over cable TV so many folks don’t have to travel to Port Orchard to watch our meetings.

The county also has many, many citizen advisory committees for everything from the planning commission to human rights to transportation planning to storm and surface water management. Vacancies are usually filled by each commissioner’s district and all vacancies are advertised. I hope you will think about volunteering this year.

Last Fall, the Puget Sound Partnership was created as an over-arching agency to direct and coordinate efforts to clean up Puget Sound and Hood Canal. This is critically important to our economy, our recreation and our quality of life – our very identity. Hood Canal and Puget Sound are in trouble. Because Kitsap County has a huge amount of shoreline on both bodies of water, it is particularly important for our future. I am representing Kitsap County in this effort. I think this is one of the most important issues facing the county and it is critical that we have a key advisory role.

You probably read about the ferry summit that was held in December. For the very first time, folks from ferry-dependent communities throughout the Puget Sound came together to talk about common concerns. I helped plan that meeting and was pleased at the energy and resolve that came out of it to try to find solutions to our ferry problems. Here in Kingston, the Port of Kingston received a capital grant for foot-ferry service to Seattle and I think port commissioners have developed a very sound proposal to initiate commuter ferry service as a first step.

Things have been busy in the 1st Commissioner District as well. The county is acquiring a new tenant at Point No Point Lighthouse. The U.S. Lighthouse Society is the foremost lighthouse organization in the country and moving its extensive library and collection of artifacts from San Francisco. There will be a lot more to learn and see at the lighthouse in the future.

Point No Point Park is probably the best and most accessible public beach park in the county. The U.S. Coast Guard owns this property and the county is doing everything it can to have the Coast Guard transfer the site to the county so it will be preserved as a county park for future generations.

The Hansville Greenway ended the year by realizing a long held dream – a connection from Puget Sound to Hood Canal. A year-end purchase of 91 acres, a 100-foot easement from Hansville Highway to Hood Canal and donation of land from Pope Resources all contributed to this happy solution. Now the trail building begins …

The old Norwegian Point Fishing Resort in downtown Hansville was purchased by the county in recent years and planning for the park at the site is finally beginning. A key issue will be whether or not to retain the historic boathouse, deck and cabins on the site.

The Greater Hansville Area Advisory Committee will also commence a “mini” comprehensive plan for the Greater Hansville Area.

Kingston has lots of ambitious plans for 2008. After years of planning, the community completed a concept design for a new community center in the midst of an expanded park called the Village Green. The community center will include a library, senior center, large meeting facilities, and space for a Boys and Girls Club. This facility will replace the 1920s vintage former church that is now badly outdated.

Equally exciting, from my perspective, is there will be senior housing built next door. Right now, our residents who have lived in Hansville, Kingston, Indianola and Suquamish and get to the point where they can no longer maintain their homes have only one choice – leave the area they have lived in and loved for decades. We need convenient, comfortable and affordable housing so they can stay in the area. The location in Kingston will be ideal in terms of accessing shopping and other services.

The Kingston Citizens Advisory Committee will refine the Kingston Sub-Area Plan this year. The county will help the KCAC and Kingston Stakeholders develop a Downtown Master Plan. There is a lot of development planning underway and we want to make certain it works together and we help rather than hinder that development. When complete, I think Kingston will truly be one of the “jewels” among Puget Sound communities.

All in all, 2008 promises to be a very challenging and productive year. While the county wants to help, the real initiative and creativity, as always, comes from folks who have the vision, energy and take the time to help build the future of their “home.”