Port Orchard has a new police chief.

On April 23, City Council confirmed the appointment of Commander Geoffrey Marti as the city’s top cop — which was effective April 24.

Marti is under a one-year contract agreement that is renewable at the end of the year. Marti’s annual salary will be around $117,000.

Marti thanked the mayor for selecting him up as police chief and the City Council for their support and confirmation.

“This means a lot to me,” Marti said.

Marti replaces Alan Townsend, who was sworn in April 19 as Poulsbo’s new police chief. Townsend was selected in March to assume his new position.

Townsend’s contract with the city was scheduled to end May 6, but negotiation with the City allowed him to start his new post heading a 16-officer department. His salary is less than he was making as police chief here.

The 54-year-old police veteran worked for 26 years as a police sergeant in Lincoln, Neb. — the same police department as Townsend. Townsend became police chief of Port Orchard in 1999, while Marti joined the department five years ago.

Marti said he has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years.

“This is probably the last place I’m going to work,” he said. “I’ve worked here five years, I’ve worked hard and I hope I’ve earned your trust.”

Marti said it’s also important to keep the community’s trust.

“I don’t think you’ll find a department that is more accountable or more transparent,” Marti added.

The police department includes 25 commissioned and partly commissioned officers, along with three office workers.

Mayor Tim Matthes announced his selection of Marti as the police chief in an April 19 press release.

In the announcement, Matthes stated that Marti “has done an exceptional job in the management and general operations providing stability to the police department and thus protection to the citizens and property it services.”

Matthes added he looking forward to working with Marti in his new role.

Councilman Jerry Childs, who voted for Marti’s appointment, said press releases that the city sends out makes announcements that the candidates nominated have already been selected before the Council has a chance to “weighed in” on the selection, according to state law.

“I feel like that process is skewed a bit,” Childs said. “For the public watching this as they read newspaper articles to think that we’ve said that person has been appointed, but not before the Council confirms it. It bothers me that we get the process out of sync.”

The Council also confirmed Nicholas Bond’s appointment as development director. Bond replaces James Weaver who resigned in December to take a position with the City of Bainbridge Island.

City Planner Tom Bonsell as filled in as acting development director since January.

In other action, the Council approved:

• Repayment of $10,094 to the state’s Recreation and Conservation Office after they terminated a grant for the Blackjack Creek Wilderness Trail.

• Approved a $341,444 bid from Ron Hemley Septic Installations, Inc., for 60 STEP conversions for homes in McCormick Woods.

• Approved a settlement agreement to pay $10,821 to AT&T/New Cingular Wireless regarding a class-action lawsuit against 122 cities in Washington for taxes paid to local entities between November 2005 and September 2010.

• Approved a $12,000 contract with Universal Field Services for the Tremont Street widening project and temporary easement updates.