Poulsbo council approves $127,000 budget amendment to hire building official

Poulsbo — The Poulsbo City Council voted unanimously on March 4 to approve budget amendment number 260,106, a $127,000 appropriation to hire a building official for the city’s building department.

Public works director Diane Linnaeus told the council the amendment is needed because an expected internal promotion did not occur and the department requires additional capacity immediately. “The route forward is not crystal clear, but we know that the need for the building official is absolute and we need to hire that person right now,” Linnaeus said.

Council members asked whether the hire was intended as a temporary or permanent addition. Linnaeus said the amendment covers staffing through the end of the fiscal year and that the request adds an additional staff member to fill the building official role after “one individual will be on extended leave.”

Council discussion emphasized the operational importance of maintaining building-permit timelines and department capacity. After brief remarks, a councilor moved to approve budget amendment 260,106 in the amount of $127,000. The motion passed with a roll call in which each councilor voted “aye.”

Outcome and next steps: The amendment was approved to fund the immediate hire; staff said the funding covers the position through the end of the fiscal year and the council will review ongoing staffing needs during future budget work.

Provenance: Topic introduced at SEG 1212 and discussion/vote concluded at SEG 1318.