News Flash

Public Notices

Posted on: October 20, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

2023 Budget Will Maintain Progress on Public Safety, Streets, Parks and Essential Needs and Services for Vulnerable Residents

I’m pleased to present to the public and the City Council my proposed budget for the City of Bremerton for 2023. I believe this budget will continue serving our residents at the highest level while practicing responsible financial management. This budget focuses on repairing our infrastructure such as streets and sidewalks and maintains essential needs and services for vulnerable residents, public safety, emergency response, mental health services, and our local parks.  

This year’s proposed budget includes several goals:

  • Maintains and protects the progress the City has made since 2018. Over the past several years, the City has funded the police force at full staffing levels – with no cuts to either police staff or operations – and added new police officers to maintain public safety in our neighborhoods and business districts. The City has also added fire fighters and paramedics to respond to increased service calls in our community. Since 2018, and with support of the City Council, the Streets and Sidewalks program was also reinstated and brought back in-house. Employees have been repairing and improving miles of streets and sidewalks, and are currently working through a list of projects. I am continuing all of these efforts under this budget, which will maintain what has already been completed to support our community.  
  • Delivers a budget that is fiscally responsible and “recession proof”. I remain committed to maintaining a sound and resilient budget. Over the past several years, the City has continued to be in strong financial health due to careful and conservative planning and a stream of sales tax and other revenue sources. The City anticipates this budget will remain sustainable during a possible downturn in the economy, will fund the City’s essential services for citizens and maintain projects that have been completed to move the City forward. 
  • Continue responding to the needs in our community. I remain committed to providing assistance, support and services for residents. In this budget, I have added two full-time staff positions to maintain the public health and cleanliness of our parks, streets and other public areas and to clean-up illegal dumping in our City. In addition, this budget continues funding for affordable housing assistance, behavioral health services, a mobile medical and addiction unit, among other programs.

2022 Accomplishments
In 2022, we moved forward on a number of initiatives and goals to maintain services and programs for residents. During the year, my administration:

  • Continued the Bremerton rental assistance program and weatherization and minor home repair programs.
  • Funded 5 new police officers as part of our community policing initiative, fully implemented body cameras for our officers and installed vehicle dash cameras to maintain public safety of residents and keep neighborhoods safe. Two behavioral health specialists were also hired to respond to mental health crisis incidents.
  • Hired 3 new first responders to increase fire department efficiencies and to expand responsiveness to emergencies and medical assistance calls. 
  • Administered public health and cleanliness efforts and removed debris in areas with illegal dumping. 
  • Continued repair and construction of streets and sidewalks, replaced aging infrastructure, added bike lanes, and made accessibility and other improvements for pedestrians.
  • Increased the Business & Occupation (B&O) tax exemption from $240,000 to $1 million to support the business community. This increased the number of eligible businesses in the City who received an exemption from the tax or qualified for a decrease in their bill. 
  • Continued to permit outdoor seating in public parking and other spaces for Bremerton restaurants to help strengthen their recovery. 
  • Invested in Western Washington University’s local Small Business Development Center to help businesses respond and adapt to market changes.
  • Provided support for startup of Mainstreet Association to help businesses in the downtown core.
  • Initiated feasibility analysis of the Warren Avenue Bridge Pedestrian Improvement Project.
  • Completed construction documents for Kitsap Lake Park Renovation Project.
  • Completed resurfacing of Lions Park courts and striping of 10 pickleball courts.
  • Completed accessibility improvements for Kitsap Lake Park, Lions Park, and Pendergast Regional Park. 
  • Secured funding for Kiwanis Park playground replacement and completed accessible playground design.
  • Started design for Pendergast Regional Park sports field improvements.
  • Started construction documents for Haddon Park Renovation project.
  • Started work on Phase Two of Gold Mountain Cascade Course plan. 
  • Continued with Kitsap Lake vegetation management and toxic algae control efforts.
  • Advanced the infill development toolkit to help increase affordable housing supply.
  • Completed art initiatives projects. 
  • Worked on long-term implementation of parking study recommendations. 
  • Continued joint traffic and parking study with U.S. Navy.
  • Implemented the City’s fire safety prevention program and partnered on the 2nd full year of the mobile response unit for opioid and mental health incidents. 
  • Continued behavioral health program for crisis intervention and support for Stand by Me program.
  • Pursued and secured legislative funding for: Quincy Square on 4th Street project; $25 million for construction of pedestrian improvements for Warren Avenue Bridge; upgrades to heating, air conditioning and better ventilation in downtown Bremerton Library; an accessibility playground in Kiwanis Park; $74 million in initial investment to fix the Gorst corridor; and funding to fix the Washington State Ferry system. 
  • Prepared plans for 2023 to initiate comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion program. Program will focus on ensuring policies, processes, and practices support an inclusive work environment and provide equitable delivery of City services.

In the 2023 budget, I am committed to maintaining completed projects in the City, supporting essential needs and services for residents, and sustaining the livability of our community.

My proposed budget is available for viewing online. I will be working with the City Council over the next several weeks to review the budget before they adopt the document. Residents can find dates and information on City Council meetings on our website here

Sincerely,

Greg Wheeler Signature Greg Wheeler
Mayor, City of Bremerton

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Public Notices

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: September 14, 2023

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: July 28, 2023

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: July 26, 2023

West Kitsap Way Planning Study

Posted on: June 15, 2023

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 3, 2023

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 7, 2023

Water Main Flushing

Posted on: March 9, 2023

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: February 8, 2023

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: January 26, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 22, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 21, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 20, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 19, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 8, 2022

West Kitsap Way Planning Study

Posted on: December 6, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: November 29, 2022

Joint Compatibility Transportation Plan

Posted on: November 2, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: October 3, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: September 19, 2022

Proposed Zoning Code Amendments

Posted on: September 2, 2022

Wayfinding Survey

Posted on: August 29, 2022

July Fourth in the City of Bremerton

Posted on: June 28, 2022

Notice of Public Hearing

Posted on: May 17, 2022

Kitsap Lake Closure

Posted on: May 10, 2022

Broadband, Internet and Cable Survey

Posted on: April 25, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 3, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: February 28, 2022

Eastside Village Subarea Plan Revisions

Posted on: February 17, 2022

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 31, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 30, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 28, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 27, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 23, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 14, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: November 19, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: October 25, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: September 16, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: September 8, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: August 10, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: August 2, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: July 19, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 25, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 25, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 16, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 9, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 8, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: May 26, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: May 24, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: May 4, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 30, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 27, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 19, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 6, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 2, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 29, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 23, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 15, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 13, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: February 12, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: February 16, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: February 4, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: January 28, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: January 25, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: January 11, 2021

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 17, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 11, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 10, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 7, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: December 4, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: November 18, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: November 4, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: October 29, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: October 27, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: October 26, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: October 23, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: October 9, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: September 18, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: September 8, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: August 26, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: August 14, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: August 11, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: August 6, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: August 6, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: July 29, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: July 29, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: July 17, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: July 15, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: July 14, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: July 13, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: July 6, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: July 1, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 18, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 17, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 16, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 15, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 12, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 11, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 5, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 5, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: June 3, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: May 29, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: May 28, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: May 8, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: May 5, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: May 1, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: May 1, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 30, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 27, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 24, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 23, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 17, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 14, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 13, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 10, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 9, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 6, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: April 6, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 31, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 30, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 27, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 26, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 25, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 24, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 23, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 19, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 18, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 17, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 16, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 12, 2020

Message from Mayor Wheeler

Posted on: March 11, 2020