2009 Kitsap County Budget Book - Kitsap County Government

General Information and Economic Indicators
KITSAP COUNTY
GENERAL INFORMATION
The County, which was formed in 1857, is a political subdivision of the State operating under the general laws of
the State. The County is located on the western side of the Puget Sound and includes the Kitsap Peninsula and
Bainbridge Island. There are four incorporated cities in the County: Bremerton, Port Orchard (the County seat),
Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo. The County can be reached from Seattle by ferry, and from Tacoma by
automobile via State Highway 16 and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The County is served by the Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Railroad.
The County is divided into two distinct sections. The mostly rural Kitsap Peninsula is home to several major
naval installations and Hood Canal. Hood Canal is a major recreation area which attracts many seasonal
residents who own homes along the shore. The region's natural resources include the Hood Canal's extensive
shoreline, fish, shellfish, and timber. Bremerton is the largest municipality on the Peninsula. Bainbridge Island,
the other distinct section of the County, is primarily a residential area. Many island residents commute by ferry
to Seattle, or to the Bremerton area on the Peninsula.
GOVERNMENT
The County is governed by a three member Board of County Commissioners. Each member serves for a term of
four years and is elected at large in a general election subsequent to three district-specific primaries. The
County Commissioners meet every second and fourth Monday in the Commissioners' Chambers at 619 Division
Street, Port Orchard Washington.
COMMISSIONERS
Steve Bauer, District No. 1, was sworn in on July 9, 2007 to fill the seat vacated by Chris Endresen. He was
elected to the District 1 position in November 2008. A former Lt. Commander for the U.S. Coast Guard, Steve
most recently served as Bellevue’s city manager and as director of finance and administration for Portland,
Oregon. In 2006, Steve completed a comprehensive evaluation of Kitsap County’s Department of Community
Development and his active leadership in his Hansville community includes serving as president of the Hansville
Community Center Board. Steve holds a masters of public administration from the University of California,
Berkeley and a B.A. in government from Columbia University in New York City.
Charlotte Garrido, District No. 2, was elected to the Board of Commissioners in November 2008. She had
served a previous term as Commissioner from 1997-2000. She has owned and managed her own business and
served on the Kitsap County Boundary Review Board. She co-founded the Kitsap Regional Farmers’ Market
Association, the Poulsbo Fibercrafters’ Cooperative and the South Kitsap Community Coalition. Garrido earned
a bachelors degree from the University of Oregon and a master’s degree in urban planning and her Ph.D. from
the University of Washington.
Josh Brown, District No. 3, was elected to his first term on the Board of Commissioners in November 2006.
He graduated from North Kitsap High School and from the University of California, Berkeley where he studied
city and regional planning policy. Mr. Brown is a licensed real estate broker.
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