Lent clarifies impact fees vote

As Kitsap County Commissioner Patty Lent recapped her first year in office for the Central Kitsap Community Council Wednesday night, she also touched on the impact of her recent impact fee vote.

She originally voted for the fee hike in June, then asked for a re-examination of the issue. On Dec. 8 county commissioners repealed the impact fee increases on new home construction after Lent reversed her stance on the issue. Commissioner Chris Endresen voted against the repeal and Jan Angel supported it.

Lent said Wednesday keeping fees at current levels seemed the most equitable solution. At the same time, she acknowledged the school districts and their disappointment in the decision. Had the new impact fee structure been kept in place, schools would have received $8.97 million instead of the current $5.26 million.

She said school districts can pass bonds and levies for additional revenue. She hopes success at the polls will become easier. Lent said she plans to lead the effort to bring down the super majority vote from 60 to 55 percent.

Lent said three school bonds would have passed had the percentage been set at 55 percent. She plans to take her ideas to the state legislature when it reconvenes in January.

She also talked about her “inheritance” when she stepped into office, including the Port of Tracyton.

“I didn’t know what I was getting into and neither did anybody else,” she said.

The port, after months of in-fighting, had its new commissioners appointed. After further investigation, four of the county’s 12 port districts had filed all of their budgets, planning documents and other paperwork with the county auditor. Lent said the process has “been streamlined” and all ports are in compliance.

“I love what I’m doing,” she said.

In January, work is expected to begin on the urban core of Silverdale’s sub-area plan. The plan for the core should be ready for adoption in 2005 Lent said.

The CKCC also heard reports from its subcommittees

Naomi Pursel, co-chairman for the transportation subcommittee, raised concerns about the Tracyton Boulevard traffic-calming project.

“People are beginning to question the wisdom,” of the project she said. Six-inch medians will prevent a handful of residents to make left turns out of their driveways.

She spoke with public works officials and they assured her the project was on schedule. The medians are scheduled to be installed in March.

The CKCC executive committee meets 6:30-8 p.m., Jan. 7 at the Silverdale Community Center Office. The next regular meeting is 7-9 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Water and Fire District Building.

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