Kitsap County received four grants from the Washington State Department of Ecology to build green stormwater retrofit projects in Manchester, Illahee, Silverdale and in some county parks. The grant funds will be combined with funds from the Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management utility.

These green stormwater projects will use native plants, healthy soils and permeable pavement to manage stormwater on properties in a cleaner, more natural way. They will result in healthier water in area streams and Puget Sound.

The Department of Ecology grants total $2.8 million and will be used for projects costing about $5.3 million. read more »

OLYMPIA — On May 24, the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) will host a new live auction of the rights for 18 state liquor stores. Following the online auction that ended April 20, top bidders on 18 state liquor stores did not pay their posted bid, sacrificing their deposit.

Bidders representing 149 state liquor stores have already paid a total of $25.9 million in bid fees to the state.

“This has been a highly successful auction process,” said WSLCB business enterprise director Pat McLaughlin. “We have already collected nearly $26 million in bids plus about one million more in fees.” read more »

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has named state Rep. Jan Angel, R-Port Orchard, as recipient of its Guardian of Small Business award for her voting record in support of small businesses in Washington.

According to NFIB/Washington State Director Patrick Connor, Angel has a 100 percent positive score for small businesses. The score is based on 10 votes taken in the state House of Representatives during the 2011-12 legislative sessions.

In a letter to Angel, Connor wrote, “This award is our way of thanking you for the hard work you’ve done on the issues that help preserve and protect free enterprise in our state. NFIB members and I appreciate your steadfast support, voting with small business 100 percent of the time during the 62nd Legislature.” read more »

Kitsap County will host two open houses to present the findings of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and Capital Facilities Plan relating to the recent Central Growth Management Hearings Board decision regarding the 2006 Comprehensive Plan.

In September 2011, the Hearings Board (Case No. 07-3-0019c) rendered a decision that Kitsap County must re-examine its Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) expanded during the 2006 Comprehensive Plan update process. read more »

Candidate filing week marks the unofficial start to the 2012 election season. The Kitsap County Auditor — Election Division will accept filings from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 14-18. Candidates may file in person at the Elections Division office, 619 Division St. in Port Orchard.

Candidates for the following offices must file with the Kitsap County Auditor:

• Legislative District 23 State Senator
• Legislative District 23 Representative, Positions 1 and 2
• Kitsap County Commissioner, Positions 1 and 2
• Superior Court Judge, Courts 1 through 8
• Public Utility District Commissioner District 3

“Running for office is a major undertaking,” says Kitsap County Auditor Walter E. Washington. read more »

The Washington Retail Association joined a coalition of state retailers and business associations last week in a letter urging Congress to pass a law closing the current Internet tax loophole.

The Legislature passed a joint resolution last year in support of the same tax reform WRA and the business coalition seek in the letter to the state’s Congressional delegation.

In short, pending federal legislation would force online retailers to collect sales taxes, which would level the competitive marketplace with traditional brick-and-mortar retailers who do collect the tax. The pending bills would require online retailers to collect the tax and remit it to the local and state governments where sales were being completed. read more »

Washington has become the first state in the nation to formally recognize a voluntary employee benefit program that encourages workers to continue their education with assistance from their employer.

Senate Bill 6141 legally defines Lifelong Learning Accounts (LiLAs), which are savings accounts funded through matching employer-employee contributions and dedicated to covering the education costs of the participating employee. The law builds on a pilot program that has operated since 2009 with employers in Thurston, Lewis, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties. read more »

Local volunteers have announced the creation of a nonprofit organization dedi-cated to the revitalization of Port Orchard’s historic commercial district. Known as the Historic Port Orchard Revitalization Asso-ciation, or Revitalize Port Orchard, the group filed for affiliate membership in the Washington State Main Street Program.

“Main Street programs have successfully helped to kick start the revitalization efforts in over 1,200 communities in 40 states across the country,” said Shannon Childs, interim board president of the new group. read more »

The Kitsap County Department of Community Development has launched a new webpage showcasing a complete redesign of all permit submittal documents and information.

In an ongoing series of process improvement efforts focused on gaining efficiencies and improving customer service, the department redesigned permit applications, submittal checklists, brochures and other documentation to better assist clients in the development and construction permitting process and to prepare for online permit submittals. read more »