2008 Budget Book - Kitsap County Government

95
General Government
Board of County Commissioners
& County Administrator
Purpose:
The Board of Commissioners is the legislative body of county government. The Board assists citizens,
addresses constituent concerns and sets policy for all county services. The County Administrator
facilitates development, evaluation, implementation and monitoring the effectiveness of those policies.
The Board’s work involves many activities and service areas including:
• Facilitating citizen involvement with County government;
• Adopting the annual budget and levying taxes to support the budget;
• Maintaining County property and developing new facilities;
• Updating the Countywide land use policy;
• Adopting and enforcing County safety and sanitary regulations;
• Overseeing the planning, construction and maintenance of County public works;
• Coordinating human services programs;
• Initiating projects and monitoring performance; and
• Promoting the County's interests in State and regional affairs.
2007 Accomplishments:
• Created citizens’ task force to review Parks’ budget & operations and have begun implementation
of the task force’s recommendations
• Changed the Board of Commissioners regular hearings from morning times to evening to
encourage greater citizen attendance and participation; made public meeting documents
available on County’s website; hosted community meetings on county’s budget
• Encouraged and approved County administration of the Hood Canal Regional Septic Loan
Program funded by Washington Department of Ecology Centennial Clean Water Fund grants
totaling over $3.6 million
• Approved plans for construction of a new Coroner facility
• Completed the transition of the South Kitsap Park to County ownership, management and
improvement
• Bargained new agreements to achieve zero increase in employee medical expenses
• Approved subarea plans for Manchester and Keyport, and adopted design standards for
Silverdale; achieved validation for the Kingston Urban Growth Area
2008 Goals and Objectives:
• Contribute to Safe and Healthy Communities by (1) investing capital funding to develop the
Central Kitsap Community Campus, the South Kitsap Community Park and the Kingston Village
Greens; all of these investments will provide facilities to enrich family life by creating safe,
recreational opportunities for youth in our county and (2) continuing to ensure adequate funding
of innovative programs, such as the County’s Drug Court program, that are both cost-effective
and have a demonstrable record in preventing crime;
• Protect Natural Resources and Systems by (1) updating the County’s Comprehensive Plan
and completing subarea plans for the Illahee and Hansville communities as well as implementing
the existing subarea plan for Kingston; (2);actively participating in the Puget Sound Partnership
to ensure Puget Sound waters are protected; (3) work to secure funding for Chico Creek salmon
restoration efforts; and (4) find funding solutions through the work of the Wastewater
Infrastructure Taskforce for sewer and other infrastructure needs that protect our environment.
• Promote a Thriving Local Economy by (1) design connector roads for the Waaga Way
extension area and the Silverdale loop ; (2) continuing efforts to improve the permitting process;
and by (3) coordinating actions with other local governments to select and implement appropriate
strategies to make affordable broadband internet service more widely available in Kitsap County.
• Promote Inclusive Government by (1) establishing a Citizen’s Budget Committee to examine
the County’s revenues, expenditures and mandated costs and to make recommendations for a