City Hall construction under budget as Givens Park bidding process moves forward

The City Council of Port Orchard convened on April 15, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including updates on local projects and financial considerations.

The meeting began with a review of ongoing projects, notably the recent opening of Givens Park. The council highlighted the successful bid process for park improvements, which had previously faced challenges due to high costs. Last fall, an initial quote for the work exceeded $800,000, while the city had secured a $250,000 grant and an additional $50,000 from the Rotary Club. After reassessing the project, the council opted to delay the bidding until spring. The latest bids revealed a more favorable amount of $475,000, which will be presented for approval in the upcoming council meeting.

Despite being slightly short on funding, the council noted that the City Hall project is nearing completion and has come in under budget. This surplus will allow for some reallocation of funds to support the park project. Additionally, the council discussed the condition of the stream adjacent to the park, which requires attention. Plans to include summer paving as an alternate bid were mentioned, with the expectation that this would utilize the remaining funds from the City Hall budget.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to address these financial adjustments and ensure that the necessary improvements to Givens Park and the surrounding areas are completed efficiently. Further discussions and decisions are anticipated in the next council meeting.