Kitsap County commissioners appoint advisory members, adopt several proclamations and approve St. Vincent de Paul housing contract

At a hybrid meeting April 28, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners appointed new members to county advisory bodies, issued proclamations recognizing public‑service weeks and heritage observances in May, and voted to approve a county contract to support a 38‑unit affordable housing project for women and children.

The appointments and proclamations were approved by voice vote; the contract with St. Vincent de Paul was also approved. The actions were taken during the board’s regular business meeting, which included in‑person and remote participation.

Pam Van Overbake was appointed to the Kitsap County Council for Human Rights to a three‑year term ending Dec. 31, 2027. Commissioner Walters noted Van Overbake “has served the last four years on the diversity advisory group of Washington State Ferries” and described her community involvement in Habitat for Humanity, Coffee Oasis and Bremerton Food Line. Van Overbake, who joined the meeting remotely, told the commissioners: “I could truly consider this a privilege to be able to serve my community in this capacity.”

The board appointed Ashley Hall and Caleb Nelson to four‑year terms on the Kitsap County Planning Commission ending Dec. 31, 2028. County remarks described Hall as a lifelong Kitsap resident and a civil‑excavation business owner with prior nonprofit affordable‑housing experience; Hall told the board she is “third generation South Kitsap” and said she looked forward to helping the county’s planning work. Nelson described his background in land‑use planning and permitting and said he looked forward to serving on the commission.

Ed Mullaney was reappointed to the Suquamish Community Advisory Council for a three‑year term ending June 11, 2028. The board noted Mullaney’s prior service, including a period as interim chair, and his background in design and construction management.

The board adopted a series of proclamations: declaring May 2025 as Kitsap County Public Service Recognition Week; designating May 4–10, 2025, as National Corrections Officers and Employees Week in Kitsap County; proclaiming May 11–17, 2025, as National Police Week in Kitsap County; and declaring May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Kitsap County. Sheriff John Giese read the corrections‑week resolution and described the mix of staff—“about a hundred corrections officers” plus medical and behavioral‑health partners—needed to operate the county jail. Denise Greer, identified as the county human‑resources director, read the public‑service recognition proclamation and thanked county employees.

The board also approved a resolution supporting the 2025 Kitsap Water Festival, an educational event for elementary students organized by a countywide partnership of utilities, school districts and nonprofit groups.

Contract approved for women’s housing: The board approved a contract with St. Vincent de Paul (project name: Star of Hope, described by the presenter as “phase 1 of the two‑phase campus development project”) to provide committed county funds for construction of 38 affordable housing units intended to support women and children facing adversity. Joseph (Joe) Graham, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul, told the board the four‑story building will contain 28 permanent supportive‑housing units and 10 transitional units, and that the project will expand the organization’s existing shelter capacity (Stella Maris house). Graham said the project had secured slightly more than $3 million in commitments so far, including nearly $1 million in state predevelopment funds and a county line item he described as “a little over $2,000,000.” He said the group expects to break ground in mid‑2026 after securing remaining funds. The motion authorizing the contract specified the county funding source as the mental health, chemical dependency and therapeutic court tax fund.

Votes at a glance (voice votes reported at meeting): - Resolution appointing Pam Van Overbake to the Council for Human Rights — outcome: approved (aye), tally not recorded in roll call (voice vote). - Resolution appointing Ashley Hall and Caleb Nelson to the Planning Commission — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Resolution reappointing Ed Mullaney to the Suquamish Community Advisory Council — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Proclamations (Public Service Recognition Week; National Corrections Officers and Employees Week; National Police Week; AANHPI Heritage Month; support for Kitsap Water Festival) — outcome: all approved (voice votes). - Contract with St. Vincent de Paul for committed funds toward 38 units of housing — outcome: approved (voice vote).

Why it matters: The appointments fill advisory‑board vacancies that advise county policy on human‑rights, planning and Suquamish community concerns. The St. Vincent de Paul contract advances a locally prioritized affordable‑housing project aimed at serving women and children and ties county behavioral‑health tax funds to construction support. The proclamations set formal county recognition for public‑service and community observances in May and highlight partnerships with local agencies and nonprofits.

Next steps: St. Vincent de Paul will continue fundraising and expects a mid‑2026 groundbreaking if remaining capital is secured. Several proclamations coincide with May observances and local events (for example, the Kitsap Water Festival) that the county noted will proceed in May.