The Bainbridge Island City Council will receive information on the economic alliance, and groundwater plan, and discuss the Winslow Subarea and Comprehensive plans at Tuesday’s meeting.
One Kitsap is the five year economic development plan and campaign. It targets five industries to help create and retain 2,500 jobs. The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance is seeking support for its funding and implementation. Mayor Brenda Fantroy-Johnson and Councilmember Joe Deets are on the board. The city funded KEDA with $10,000 this year.
Documents say One Kitsap seeks public-private partnerships, and it’s aligned with the county’s needs and opportunities. It seeks economic growth that does not jeopardize the county’s beauty, quality of place and quality of life.
Five years goals include: increase commercial inventory by 25 acres; decrease vacancy rate at major employers by 25%; and up to 3% increase in county’s Gross Domestic Product. Forecast is $838 million in new county output, $249 million in new consumer spending and $28 million in new local and state taxes.
The five targeted industries are: technology, 620 new jobs, or 30% of the overall goal; defense, 560, 25%; and marine-boat building, light manufacturing and construction-project managent, each 440 jobs for 15% each.
The jobs will increase spending (listed in millions of dollars) on: housing, $87.7 million; transportation, 40.6; food, 30.1; personal insurance and pensions, 28.6; health care, 18.4; entertainment, 14.4; cash contributions, 8.5; apparel and services, 6.7; education, 4.0; and personal care, 3.0.
The update on the groundwater management plan says it is about 50% complete. The three-phase plans consists of research, modeling and planning.
Goals include:
•Ensure clean and sufficient groundwater: models inform decisions on land use and population; water conservation and recharge strategies; and minimize threats to water quality.
•Reduce and adapt to climate change: identify impacts to groundwater; develop strategies to reduce climate impacts; and improve indicator monitoring.
•Develop community-wide understanding: establish advisory subcommittee; stakeholder engagement; and online platform.
Findings include: increase groundwater pumping 50% due to population growth; reduce recharge 20% due to climate change; and sea level will rise 4 feet due to climate change. Positive news is there has been no seawater intrusion. Also, groundwater availability for growth plans are probable.
Regarding the Comp and Subarea plans, the council will discuss steering committee comments. That panel consists of Councilmembers Leslie Schneider, Jon Quitslund and deputy mayor Kirsten Hytopoulos along with Planning Commissioners Ashley Mathews, Sarah Blossom and Sean Sullivan. The committee was formed to guarantee public involvement in the process.
