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Council flags sustainability concerns for Poulsbo's grant‑funded HHH programs
Summary
Councilors and finance staff warned several health/housing programs (HHH) currently run on grants are precarious long‑term, and staff said they are developing a grant policy to clarify matches, tax‑funded portions, and how programs might be sustained if grants expire.
Council members asked whether programs run out of grant funding (notably the HHH — health, housing and human services work) could create recurring obligations. Deb Borer said much of the HHH work has been grant funded and that the general fund currently covers limited staff wages. "Grant income is helpful to get things started, but that's it," one council member said during the discussion, urging plans for graduating grants into sustainable revenue.
Speakers agreed a new grant policy is needed to flag what constitutes a city priority, whether a grant creates an ongoing obligation, and how to identify matching or dedicated local tax streams. Several councilors asked staff to better segment funds so that sales‑tax or dedicated affordable‑housing tax revenue can be distinguished from short‑term grant money. The discussion highlighted the need to show which parts of programs rely on ephemeral funding and to prepare contingency plans if grants lapse.
