Poulsbo council briefs: county sales tax stacking, First Amendment guide, transit open house Nov. 14

POULSBO — Other items from the Poulsbo City Council’s Nov. 4 meeting:

Legislative agenda targets 'stacked' public safety tax

In a workshop with contract lobbyist Brian McGonagle, Gelder said Kitsap County’s new public safety sales tax will raise Poulsbo’s sales tax rate from 9.3% to 9.4% next year. He said the county will collect nearly $600,000 in Poulsbo and doesn’t have to share it with the city. If Poulsbo adopted the same tax under House Bill 2015, it would stack on top, bringing the rate to 9.5%.

Councilmembers asked that the city’s 2027 legislative agenda push to fix that, along with the bill’s deadline extension. The draft agenda also includes an $880,000 state capital request for the Poulsbo Event and Recreation Center, support for a Western Washington University campus in Poulsbo, derelict vessel funding and the Workforce Housing Accelerator program. McGonagle said the 2027 session runs Jan. 11 to the end of April.

First Amendment and online harassment guide

Stern and Fitzpatrick presented a guide on First Amendment rights and online harassment that they developed with City Attorney Emily Romanenko. Stern said social media got heated heading into the election, and some residents felt threatened enough to call 911. Fitzpatrick said the guide doesn’t set policy. It explains when online conduct may be a crime worth reporting and when it’s protected speech. It is posted on the city’s website.

Kitsap Transit open house Nov. 14

Stern said Kitsap Transit, the city and Poulsbo Public Works will hold an open house on the new North Viking transit maintenance facility and the city’s new public works facility across the street from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 14, at the bus transfer center. He called the transit project a $30 million build. Kitsap Transit approved a construction-management contract for it Nov. 3.

Award for summer drone show

Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Ozimek said the Washington Festivals and Events Association honored the city and its partners for the drone show over Liberty Bay this summer. Students from the Peninsula School District helped build the show with the Port of Poulsbo, Poulsbo Rotary and others.

Around town

• Public Works Director Jessica Knickerbocker said downtown Christmas lights are going up a week early this year, and asked residents to clear storm drains as the rainy season starts.
• Livdahl, the HDPA’s beautification chair, said volunteers will decorate downtown for Christmas starting at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, meeting outside the RE/MAX office.
• The Poulsbo Pollinator Project has volunteer work parties from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 at American Legion Park and from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 5 at Waterfront Park, Councilmember Leighton Thomas said.
• The city, Kitsap Regional Library and library partners are hosting a community read on civic engagement from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in the council chambers, Councilmember Pam Crowe said.
• Newell said the mayor’s housing commission will bring its recommendations to the council Dec. 9.
• The council postponed adopting its 2027 goals. Gelder asked councilmembers to send comments by early next week so the goals can come back Nov. 18. Councilmembers suggested adding goals on parking enforcement and green space.