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Oct. 6, 2025

Navigating Structural Budget Challenges

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As we move deeper into our 2026 budget deliberation process, we want to ensure you have clear, detailed information about the fiscal decisions before us. Over the past month, all County departments and offices have presented their budget proposals, and we've been working through the complex task of balancing essential services with available resources.

This e-newsletter is the first in a series of "Let's Talk Budget" communications designed to provide transparency on specific budget topics that matter most to our community. Rather than waiting until final decisions are made, we're bringing you into the conversation now—sharing the data, explaining the challenges, and showing how we're working toward solutions.

This week we’re providing transparency on one of our most critical budget priorities: public safety. As we work to address an $8 million structural budget deficit, we want you to understand how we’re balancing essential services with fiscal responsibility.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, we received a comprehensive briefing from Administrative Services on the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office budget—a deep dive into the numbers that shows both our commitment to public safety and the fiscal pressures we’re managing.



*Let’s Talk Budget: The Numbers Behind Public Safety*
police car lights [ [link removed] ]

When we talk about budget challenges, it’s important to understand the full picture. The Sheriff’s Office budget has grown significantly over the past decade—from $35 million in 2015 to nearly $60 million in our proposed 2026 budget. That’s 71% growth.

During that same period, our property tax revenue—the most stable funding source we have—grew just 24%. The 1% property tax growth cap imposed by state law creates a fundamental gap between revenue growth and the actual cost of providing services.

The Sheriff’s Office represents 43% of our entire $134 million General Fund, up from 39% a decade ago. We’ve added over 20 positions during this time, and current Sheriff office staffing stands at 262.85 full-time employees.

We also divert $2.9 million annually from the Road Fund to support Sheriff’s traffic enforcement.

*Your survey input matters: *In our recent National Community Survey [ [link removed] ]—the first countywide survey in over 20 years—90% of you told us you feel safe in your neighborhoods. Public safety services received high marks: fire services 89%, ambulance/EMS 81%, and Sheriff services 66%.

*Shared Responsibility Across All Departments and Offices*

As part of our countywide effort to address structural challenges, we asked all departments and offices—including the Sheriff—to identify 3% budget reductions. This approach ensures every department contributes to fiscal sustainability while maintaining essential services.

Wednesday’s briefing showed the Sheriff’s Office met its $1.7 million fiscal impact target through:


* Eliminating $850,000 in vacant positions
* Generating $750,000 in new revenues
* Reallocating two positions to grant funding

*What we excluded from their target:* We recognized that some cost increases are market-driven and outside departmental control:


* Jail medical contract increase of $828,000 (limited vendor competition)
* Kitsap 911 dispatch contract increase of $88,000

*Major cost drivers identified:*

* Personnel costs increased 53% between 2015-2025 (competitive wages, headcount growth)
* Jail medical services contract now represents 26% of jail budget, up from 12% in 2015
* Body-worn cameras added $1 million annually starting in 2024—an important accountability investment

*Budget Priorities*
das report on kcso budget [ [link removed] ]

The detailed data presentation we received included overtime and vacancy analyses, headcount histories across all departments, and comparative labor cost growth. This transparency helps us make informed decisions about resource allocation while maintaining the services you depend on.

Our commitment remains clear:


* Public safety is our top priority
* All departments and offices share responsibility for addressing fiscal challenges
* Essential services will be maintained through efficiencies, not service cuts
* Community input shapes our decisions

*Multiple Opportunities to Engage*

We’re committed to involving our community in these important budget conversations.

Upcoming public engagement opportunities:


* Oct. 13: Public comment during Regular Business Meeting, plus presentation on submitted budget
* Oct. 20: Budget discussion (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
* Oct. 27: Public comment and final budget summary (2:45-4 p.m.)
* Dec. 1: Official Budget Public Hearing
* Dec. 8: Final budget adoption

See our letter to the editor. [ [link removed] ]

Watch our Oct. 1 Briefing. [ [link removed] ]

Review the KCSO Supplemental Budget PowerPoint presentation. [ [link removed] ] 

Check out our full budget schedule [ [link removed] ].

"Learn more about our budget process. [ [link removed] ]"

Get meeting details and information on our E-agenda page. [ [link removed] ]

Reach out to us. <[email protected]> 

*Moving Forward Together*

By prioritizing transparency, engaging our community in difficult conversations about trade-offs, and working collaboratively across all departments, we can navigate these challenging times while maintaining the essential services our residents expect.

This is about proactive leadership—addressing challenges before they become crises, using data to drive decisions, and ensuring every tax dollar is spent wisely.

Thank you for your continued engagement in this process.

 

*Warmly, *

*Your Kitsap County Board of Commissioners*

"Christine Rolfes (District 1), Oran Root (District 2), Katie Walters (District 3) "

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*About Kitsap County*

"Located in Washington, ""Kitsap County" [ [link removed] ]" is home to over 270,000 residents across 566 square miles, making it the seventh-most populated county in the state. Bordered by the Hood Canal and Puget Sound, Kitsap offers residents, businesses, and visitors a stunning natural beauty and a unique blend of urban amenities and rural charm. The county includes the cities of Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, and Bainbridge Island, as well as many unincorporated communities. " 

"Kitsap County is led by a three-member Board of Commissioners that is committed to providing high-quality services and amenities that enhance the quality of life for all residents while fostering economic growth, environmental conservation, and sustainable development." 

"For more information about Kitsap County services and initiatives, visit ""www.kitsap.gov" [ [link removed] ]" or follow us on social media ""@KitsapWa" [ [link removed] ]"." 

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*Connect with us*

Stay informed about the latest news from Kitsap County. Visit our website [ [link removed] ], follow us on social media, or sign up for our updates [ [link removed] ].

 

*Links in this document*

"See our letter to the editor: [link removed]" [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]

"Watch our Oct. 1 briefing: [link removed]"

"Review the KCSO Supplemental Budget PowerPoint presentation.: [link removed]'sOfficeBudget.pdf [ [link removed] ]"

"Check out our full budget schedule: [link removed]"

"Learn more about our budget process: [link removed] [ [link removed] ]"

"Get meeting details and information on our E-agenda page: eAgenda Search [ [link removed] ]"

"National Community Survey: [link removed]"

""National Community Survey:" "[link removed]" [ [link removed] ]"

"Reach out to us: [email protected]"

"Kitsap County: "www.kitsap.gov" [ [link removed] ]"

"@KitsapWA: ""www.facebook.com/KitsapWa" [ [link removed] ]

"Website: ""www.kitsap.gov" [ [link removed] ]

"Sign up for our updates: ""[link removed]" [ [link removed] ]






Contact Information

Krista Carlson, Communications Manager & PIO, Board of County Commissioners [email protected], 564.222.0375

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Resources

Click the links below for more information about County resources.
"All news releases [ [link removed] ]  |  ""County Home Page [ [link removed] ]  |  ""Inclement Weather [ [link removed] ]  |  ""The Road Repor [ [link removed] ]t [ [link removed] ]"

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*Kitsap Electronic Notification System*

Questions? Contact Kitsap1 at 360.337.5777 or [email protected]







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