Poulsbo council approves contracts, budget carryovers and park purchase; consent items passed

Poulsbo—025-06-11

The Poulsbo City Council approved four formal items during the June 11 meeting: a consultant contract for the Eighth Avenue culvert design, an amendment to post the 2025 beginning balance and carry over previously approved 2024 expenditures, and a budget amendment to fund purchase of park property for the Poulsbo Events and Recreation Center. Council also approved the consent agenda (including an interlocal agreement renewal for the CDBG HOME consortium).

Why it matters: The approvals move planned capital work and previously authorized projects forward (the culvert design funded largely by a state grant) and place city budget records and reserves into the correct fiscal-year accounts. The park property purchase secures additional land adjacent to the planned events and recreation center, enabling more parking and amenities for that project.

What council approved and how the council voted

- Consultant contract for Eighth Avenue culvert design (Skillings Incorporated): motion to approve the consultant contract in the amount of $302,121 and authorize the mayor to sign. Vote: Tabor, Nadal, Eckert, Crow, Stern, McVeigh, Newell — ayes; motion approved. (See separate article for full project details.)

- Budget amendment 25-0208 (post actual 2025 beginning balance and carryover previously approved 2024 expenditures): motion to approve the amendment; council discussion noted the size of carryovers and debate over whether to hire a code compliance officer now or during the mid-biennium review. Vote: Taber, Glendale, Eckert, Roe, Stern, McVeigh, Newell — ayes; motion approved.

- Budget amendment 25-0209 (allocate funds to purchase new park property): motion to approve allocating $860,000 (inclusive of closing costs) to acquire the additional park property adjacent to the Poulsbo Events and Recreation Center. Vote: Taber, Whittall, Eckert, Crow, Stern, McVeigh, Newell — ayes; motion approved.

- Consent agenda (excused council member absences; renewal interlocal agreement for CDBG HOME consortium): approved by voice vote.

Council discussion and context

Council members and staff debated how to use the funds carried over from 2024. Finance Director Debbie Boer told council that posting the beginning balances increased the general fund ending balance from roughly $3.8 million to $7.4 million after accounting for carryover expenditures and grants. Several council members expressed concern about using one-time funds for ongoing positions; others said the city should be timely in filling key positions such as a code compliance officer. Council directed staff to develop recommendations as part of the mid-biennium/budget process and to return to council with options.

The council also expressed broad support for the park property acquisition, noting staff and negotiators had worked to secure the parcel and that the additional land will help the events and recreation center project with parking and amenities.

Votes at a glance (condensed)

- Skillings contract (Eighth Avenue culvert design): Amount $302,121; outcome: approved; vote: 7-0. - Budget amendment 25-0208 (post beginning balances and carryovers): outcome: approved; vote: 7-0. - Budget amendment 25-0209 (park property purchase): Amount $860,000; outcome: approved; vote: 7-0. - Consent agenda (including ILA renewal for CDBG HOME consortium): outcome: approved; voice vote.

What happens next

Staff will execute the approved consultant contract for culvert design and proceed with the tasks described by the consultant and staff (design, alternate analysis, geotechnical work, permitting). The finance office will post the beginning balances and continue with the mid-biennium budget process; staff will bring forward policy options related to using one-time funds and the timing for hiring ongoing positions. The city will complete the closing on the park property purchase after the funds transfer.