stage I BURN BAN in effect JUNE 22ND AT 8AM

CAPITAL BOND

Construction of a large building with Tyvek wrap under a blue sky, surrounded by trees. Text: "Capital Facilities Plan 2024-2044." Poulsbo Fire logo.
Cover of the 2025 Poulsbo Fire Department Annual Report. Features men in front of a red garage, shaking hands, holding a fire hose.
Red graphic with bold white text reading "Resolution 2026." Below, it states, "Bonds for fire and emergency response facilities, vehicles, and equipment," followed by "Proposition No. 1.

The Board of Commissioners for the Poulsbo Fire Department has approved a resolution to place a capital bond measure on the August 4, 2026 Primary Election ballot. The measure asks voters to consider a six-year capital bond to provide dedicated funding for essential improvements to the department’s facilities, apparatus, and emergency response equipment. This proposal follows a recommendation from the citizens’ Strategic Advisory Board and is part of the department’s long-term Capital Facilities Plan, which outlines both the maintenance of existing resources and the investments needed to keep pace with community growth.

The proposed bond is limited to projects identified as immediate priorities. These include expanding the capacity of the apparatus bay and fleet maintenance facility at Station 71 on 10th Avenue NE, replacing the department’s self-contained breathing apparatus as they reach the end of service life, replacing two medic units, and replacing a fire engine and a marine response unit, both of which are more than 30 years old.

If approved, the bond would provide a total of $7.64 million over six years. At an estimated rate of $.18 / $1,000 of assessed value, the cost to the average North Kitsap home, currently valued at $528,283, would be $95.09 per year, or $7.92 per month.

 

The department’s financial projections show that existing Fire and EMS levies, which provide the majority of funding for daily operations, are increasingly constrained. These levies primarily support personnel, emergency response services, and ongoing operational costs. As the community continues to grow, demand for service and operational costs has increased, while levy revenues—based on assessed property values—have not increased and are projected to decrease in the coming years.

To help address this challenge and reduce the burden on current taxpayers, the department is also actively pursuing growth impact fees on new development within the City of Poulsbo and unincorporated Kitsap County. These fees are intended to ensure that new development contributes to the infrastructure and equipment needed to serve a growing population. The proposed capital bond reflects these anticipated contributions, with a portion of the project costs related to growth expected to be offset by revenue from new development rather than existing taxpayers.

By separating capital investments from operational funding, the proposed bond is intended to help preserve the department’s ability to maintain current service levels while addressing immediate infrastructure and equipment needs in a financially sustainable manner. The department will host a virtual meeting regarding the capital bond on June 29 from 6:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m.

June 29th Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89354493310