POULSBO — The Port of Poulsbo is putting together a plan to appoint a new commissioner following the resignation of former commissioner and Port president Mark DeSalvo in mid-July.
Remaining commissioners Mark Singer and Jamie Green laid out a timeline at the Port’s July 23 meeting for accepting applications, holding public interviews and selecting a commissioner.
DeSalvo resigned following his arrest for allegedly vandalizing a memorial in Poulsbo’s waterfront park dedicated to Stonechild Chiefstick, a Native American man who was shot and killed by Poulsbo police July 3, 2019 during the city’s annual fireworks celebration.
The Port has 90 days from the date of DeSalvo’s resignation to appoint a new commissioner, which would be Oct. 12.
“It’s entirely up to the board how they would like to do this entire process,” Port business manager Carol Tripp said.
However, if the port commissioners fail to appoint a person by then, the Kitsap County Commissioners would do it instead.
The Port will accept applications through noon on Friday, Aug. 7. The commissioners may choose to hold an executive session to discuss the applications and prepare questions for the public interview of potential candidates, which is expected to take place at the Port’s regular meeting Aug. 20. A new commissioner is then expected to be selected at the Port’s regular meeting Sept. 3.
The person selected will serve the remainder of the term until it is up for reelection in November of 2021. All applicants are required to live within the Port’s District No. 12 boundaries and be a registered voter in Kitsap County. All applications are public and subject to records requests. Applications are received by the Port of Poulsbo office.
The Port commission consists of three members and acts as the Port’s policy-making body. Commissioners have an average minimum commitment of eight to 12 hours per month to participate in Port meetings and various community activities. Commissioners also serve on regional boards and represent the commission at community functions.
Port commissioners receive $254 per month and are paid $114 per meeting, up to 96 meetings per year.
