The state Department of Health has overhauled Onsite Sewage System Regulations, with changes to be implemented by local jurisdictions by April 2025.
The Kitsap Public Health District is a step ahead, with one of the most-progressive OSS ordinances in the state, Environmental Health director John Kiess said at the recent KPHD meeting.
The statewide revision began in 2018, and the new rules were adopted in January. Mandated changes include OSS property transfer inspections, permit exemptions for minor repairs, and more. For some counties, that means a major change. In Kitsap, it largely means updating language and adding definitions.
“Locally, most of the state rule changes are already being done,” Kiess said, adding draft changes will be sent next month, and a potential public hearing early next year. “We want the most robust, least expensive, simplest system,” Kiess said, regarding the revision language.
The rest of the KPHD meeting discussed plans for next year, as well as revisions and updates to current systems. Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow updated the board on ongoing programs and advised the public to get flu and COVID shots as respiratory illness season nears.
Equity Program updates
The Kitsap County Equity Program is heading into its fifth year, following commitment toward racial equity through programming, partnerships and more. A KPHD resolution declared racism a public health issue in Kitsap County, and “acknowledges long-standing inequity and includes commitments,” said Erica Whares, Equity Program coordinator.
“Most of us know that a lot of equity programs that started in 2020 have gone by the wayside,” Bainbridge Island City Councilmember Ashley Mathew said. “I want to commend the health board for taking on this issue, and not just doing so in a performative manner, but to still be doing work and talking about goals into 2025.”
Moving into 2025, the Equity Program plans to create an Equity Impact Review Tool and conduct additional equity training for all employees, including Cultural Humility and Allyship. They also plan to continue programming such as monthly Lunch and Learn sessions and provide support for the Health Equity Collaborative.
Environmental Health fee
The board also discussed proposed changes to the 2025 Environmental Health Fee Schedule. The KPHD board identified a deficit in the Food and Living Environment program and is proposing a 4.4% fee increase, commensurate with the Seattle Consumer Price Index. That would impact the service fee on things like restaurant and swimming pool operating permits.
However, the board is proposing a fee decrease for OSS Monitoring and Maintenance contracts. That is the second decrease since 2022.
Other changes proposed include the introduction of seasonal food unit permits, restructuring of program fee schedules, and more, which will be presented during the KPHD meeting next month.
