In a recent government meeting, city officials discussed significant developments regarding funding and staffing needs, particularly in the engineering department. The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) has seen increased funding, prompting a review of ongoing projects and their statuses. A public hearing is planned to adopt a resolution related to these projects.

A key topic was the engineering department's staffing challenges. Despite approval for a new engineering position, the city has struggled to attract qualified applicants. In response, officials proposed salary adjustments to align with neighboring cities, particularly Bremerton, to enhance recruitment efforts. The recommendations include moving the city engineer position to a higher salary range and creating a new Engineer 4 position to improve retention among teamsters.

The discussion also highlighted the need for two engineers to manage the growing workload from various development projects. Officials noted that competition for engineering talent is fierce, with numerous open positions in the region. Suggestions were made to consider hiring bonuses or relocation incentives to attract candidates from outside the local area.

Financially, the city reported a significant surplus for the 2023 budget year, with actual revenues exceeding projections by over $4 million. This surplus was attributed to higher-than-expected development fees and sales tax revenues. The city plans to utilize this surplus to avoid drawing from reserves in the upcoming budget cycle.

Concerns were raised about the sustainability of relying on one-time revenues for ongoing staffing costs. Officials emphasized the importance of strategic planning to ensure that the city can maintain its services without overextending its budget. The meeting concluded with a call for improved collaboration between staff and council members to better anticipate financial needs and staffing requirements moving forward.