1964 - Resolution - Endorsing Charter Form of Government for Kitsap CountyRESOLUTION NO. 1964
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PORT ORCHARD ENDORSING THE CHARTER FORM OF
GOVERNMENT FOR KITSAP COUNTY
WHEREAS, Kitsap County was established more than 100 years ago with a
three person Board of Commissioners before the Puget Sound faced modern urban pressures;
and
WHEREAS, Kitsap County now has a population of over 230,000 people and is
confronted with a myriad of urban issues and an continuously increasing population; and
WHEREAS, the current Jaws limit the internal communications of three person
Board of Commissioners by requiring a public notice every time two of the three Commissioners
meet, and this adversely affects careful in-depth evaluation of issues; and
WHEREAS, the Kitsap County community elected freeholders to carefully
evaluate an alternative to the existing county government and those freeholders, after extensive
scrutiny of the issues, have recommended a charter form of government for Kitsap County; now
THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ORCHARD DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE THAT:
1. The citizens of Kitsap County should carefully review the pros and cons of the charter
government proposal and evaluate the respective arguments, without regard to the
rhetoric.
2. The citizens should evaluate if they have been satisfied with the County governmental
response in previous important issues, such as demarcating urban and rural areas,
growth management, the endangered species act, and, if the citizens felt they were
properly represented.
3. The Port Orchard City Council believes that a county in the Puget Sound region facing
modern urban pressures cannot adequately represent the community with a Board of
only three commissioners.
4. The Port Orchard City Council believes that the modern complexity of county government
and the requirements of state and federal regulations have exceeded the capacity of a
three-member board of county commissioners.
5. The Port Orchard City Council believes that a charter form of government would provide
better serve the citizens of Kitsap County and would allow us to meet the challenges that
await us.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Port Orchard, SIGNED by the Mayor,
and attested by the Clerk in authentication of such passage this 14 day of January 2002.