2009 Kitsap County Budget Book - Kitsap County Government

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
II.
Purpose:
The Board of Commissioners is the executive, legislative and quasi-judicial authority 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 roads;
• Coordinating human service programs;
• Initiating projects and monitoring performance; and
• Promoting the County’s interests in State and regional affairs.
III. 2008 Accomplishments:
• Achieved validation of the County’s Comprehensive Plan for the first time since 2003.
• Adopted amendments to County’s Building Code to complete Phase II of Code Development to improve the
provisions’ clarity, consistency and functionality; through extension community planning process, worked with the
Illahee and Hansville communities to update subrea plans.
• With significant public participation, designed and located connector roads north of the Waga Way Extension
Road, thereby providing clear access to the Extension Road for properties within this significant commercial and
employment center.
• Created the Citizen’s Budget Committee and Energy Conservation Committee to review the County’s practices
and to make recommendations to sustain necessary governmental services; launched a performance
measurement program to ensure budgeting accountability and transparency.
• Negotiated new agreements to cap County’s contribution to employee medical plans and to limit the general
wage increases for employee wages.
• Updated sewer infrastructure planning for ten urban growth areas countywide.
• Created Wastewater Infrastructure Taskforce, which produced technical analyses of appropriate infrastructure
locations, existing and future funding mechanisms and proposed prioritization of areas for public/private
investment. These analyses will provide a foundation for policy discussions between jurisdictions in 2009.
• Finalized the master plan of the South Kitsap Regional Park through a comprehensive public participation
process; secured grant funding for this park as well as the Central Kitsap Community’s Campus YMCA
partnership project.
• Actively participated in the Puget Sound Partnership to ensure Puget Sound waters are protected.
IV. 2009 Goals and Objectives:
• Contribute to Safe and Healthy Communities by investing capital funding to develop the Central Kitsap Community
Campus, the South Kitsap Regional Park, and the Kingston Village Greens; partner with the City of Poulsbo to
maintain a viable North Kitsap District Court; and commence the main Courthouse renovation while saving capital
funds for an eventual main courthouse replacement.
• Protect Natural Resources and Systems by (1) finalizing the subarea plan begun in 2008 with the Hansville
community; (2) continuing to participate in the Puget Sound Partnership and to secure funding for Phase II of the
Chico Creek salmon restoration efforts; (3) create an action plan to implement recommendations from the Wastewater
Infrastructure Taskforce
• Promote a Thriving Local Economy through updated commercial Local Area of More Intensive Rural Development
countywide; and by partnering with Harrison Hospital to facilitate expansion of its Silverdale Campus; the expansion
both strengthens our local economy and secures greater access to healthcare for all county residents.
• Promote Inclusive Government by (1) moving to live broadcasts of Commissioners’ meetings and (2) adopt updated
Citizen’s Advisory Group guidelines.
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