$9 million approved for PO projects at Legislative Session
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, March 31, 2026
At the March 24 Port Orchard City Council meeting, Washington State lobbyist Shelly Helder gave an update on the 2026 Legislative Session. A total of $9 million was approved in funding for Port Orchard projects.
$8 million was requested from the supplemental transportation budget for the Sedgwick Roundabout Project, which is expected to be completed later this year. “We did not expect funding to be allocated to a project of this size, but to our surprise, the Senate transportation budget included the full $8 million for this project,” said Helder.
Another $1 million was requested from the supplemental capital budget for the Old Clifton Road Water Intertie Project, and was fully approved in the final capital budget. “This success was possible because our delegation, the 26th District legislators, all prioritized this request,” said Helder. “We don’t see these results in a short session without advocating and prioritizing, and without their support.” This project is anticipated to start this upcoming winter.
The third priority for Port Orchard included the maintenance of Derelict Vessel Removal Funds. House Bill 2199 was passed, sponsored by Rep. Adison Richards. The bill takes effect June 11, Helder shared. This bill modifies the definition of a derelict vessel, which expedites the process for removal.
Other awards distributed within the district included $500,000 for upgrades at South Kitsap Regional Park, $200,000 for the Bremerton Foodline, and $50,000 for Key Peninsula Community Services’ food pantry.
Helder shared that this year, there are higher budgets for the state due to rising maintenance costs. There was a $2.4 billion increase in the operating budget for the state, which now sits at $80.2 billion. The transportation budget had a $1.2 billion increase and is now $16.6 billion, and the capital budget for the state is $8.5 billion, which saw an $889 million increase.
At the session, House Bill 2266 was also passed, which requires cities to allow permanent supportive housing and transitional housing in all residential zones, Helder shared. This also includes allowing emergency housing in zones where hotels are allowed. House Bill 2489, however, was not passed, which would have limited the authority to regulate or remove individuals who are occupying public parks or those in encampments. Helder shared that this bill had strong opposition from cities in the state.
“There is a lot of work to do between now and when the next session begins,” said Helder. “I encourage the city to express gratitude to your delegation, the 26th District legislators, and, for that matter, every legislator who put in countless hours to help our state run.”
Work is already underway in the city for funding that was received in the first year of the biennium.
Executive director of Kitsap Community Resources, Tony Ives, also gave a presentation at the council meeting on KCR’s impacts since 2025 in Port Orchard.
In the last year, KCR has seen a significant growth in demand, with 121 individuals using KCR’s housing services at their Port Orchard office as of February. Last year, only 40 individuals were using housing services at this same location, he shared.
In 2025, KCR was awarded $30,000 in a rental assistance initiative from the City of Port Orchard, which they used to support 11 residents and eight other residents in broader South Kitsap.
The agency invested $263,100.15 total for weatherization which helped 31 individuals in the city. 1,630 Port Orchard households were also served through their energy assistance program.
Ives also shared that 20 families from Port Orchard are currently enrolled in KCR’s programs for families and kids, with 1,002 families served monthly through their Women, Infants, and Children Program.
KCR is currently working alongside Kitsap Public Health District and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health for the completion of their Community Needs Assessment, and are working on strategic planning for the next year.
