County to seek cost estimates for feasibility study after Bremerton objects to grant language

Unidentified Speaker 4 updated the commission on a draft memorandum of understanding with the City of Bremerton and said Bremerton proposed removing a sentence stating "the work to be paid for by the commerce grant." Staff included Department of Commerce guidance indicating that the commerce grant program typically does not cover feasibility studies or related pre‑design work.

"The email essentially said that not only the grant but just the program itself typically does not pay for feasibility studies and so it would not be eligible under the commerce grant," Speaker 4 said. Commissioners asked staff to return with a dollar estimate and timeline for a consultant‑led feasibility study and to approach Bremerton about participation and cost‑sharing before issuing an RFQ or RFP.

Speaker 3 emphasized the community significance of a full feasibility analysis and said the county should avoid a half‑measured approach. Staff said they have drafted a framework for the study and would seek an independent consultant to preserve objectivity; commissioners asked that any consultant not have conflicts with either jurisdiction.

No formal commitment of county funds was made at the briefing; staff said they would obtain cost estimates, propose a procurement approach (RFQ/RFP) and confirm Bremerton’s willingness to participate.