POULSBO — The 2008 Washington State Retail Survey detailed some promising figures for the city of Poulsbo. Published annually by the Eureka Group, the WSRS listed Poulsbo as having the sixth highest annual retail sales growth rate in the state over the past five years. The survey takes into account the 50 largest Washington markets. Poulsbo clocked in with a 10.6 percent growth rate, due in large part to the 2006 opening of the College Marketplace. Taking the top spot was SeaTac, with an average growth of 20.3 percent.

According to the survey, the 50 markets listed represent more than $46 billion in annual retail sales and about 77 percent of the state’s yearly retail sales. Following SeaTac, Marysville, Bonney Lake, Lacey and Sumner also saw double-digit increases over the past five years.

Often compared in size and character with the Viking City, Gig Harbor took the 20th spot with a 6.8 percent annual sales tax growth; Bremerton rounded out the list with two percent average growth.

Poulsbo City Council Member Ed Stern made note of the survey last Wednesday, and said the effort to keep Poulsbo in good economic health has been one a decade in the making. The growth rate figures, which he called “breathtaking,” are part of a system he says works to ensure the city thrives and its services are available to citizens.

The WSRS looks at the retail performances of Washington’s 39 counties and 290 cities, covering the state’s $63 billion retail marketplace. For more information on the survey, visit washingtonstateretailsurvey.com.

The survey’s ranking of Poulsbo isn’t the only recent recognition the city’s received. The Finance Department was recently awarded the Professional Finance Officer award by the Washington Finance Officers Association. The award, given for work done on the 2008 budget, is extended for achievements of professional service and ongoing continuing education and training on the part of each individual in the department. It was bestowed upon accounting technicians Kelly Ziemann, Linda Shaw and Leticia Fee, accounting manager Jana Brown, administrative assistant Terri Coe, office manager Roz Heffner and department director Deb Booher earlier this month.