 | | Statement from Kitsap County Board of Commissioners Chair Oran Root on Interim Sheriff Appointment | 7/15/2026 | July 15, 2026
The following is a statement from Kitsap County Board of Commissioners Chair Oran Root on the status of the Interim Sheriff appointment. Yesterday, July 14, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners conducted interviews for the Kitsap County Interim Sheriff position. On behalf of the Board, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to the Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee for its prompt response in forwarding three highly qualified candidates for our consideration in such a short timeframe, due to the unexpected retirement announcement of the former Sheriff. I also want to thank Lieutenant Ken Dickinson (Ret.), Chief Jeffrey Menge, and Chief Brandon Myers for their dedication to public service, and for their willingness to step forward to serve in a leadership role during this important transitional period. Each candidate brings an impressive record of service and extensive experience that would serve the citizens of Kitsap County with utmost professionalism. Throughout the interview process, it was clear that all three embody servant leadership, and care greatly about the Kitsap community, and the mission of the Sheriff's Office. I would also like to express our appreciation to Acting Sheriff Penelope Sapp for her steady leadership during this transition. Her willingness to step forward and provide continuity has helped ensure the Sheriff's Office continues to serve our community with professionalism and stability. The Board is proceeding with our next steps in the Interim Sheriff appointment process. Over the coming weeks, we will continue our deliberations and complete the background checks required under state law. The Board anticipates making an appointment the week of August 17, and intends to administer the oath of office at the Board's regular meeting on Monday, August 24 beginning at 10 a.m. Throughout this process, the Board remains committed to ensuring a smooth, stable, and lawful transition that supports both the safety and well-being of our community and the dedicated men and women of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office. We will continue to carry out our constitutional responsibilities with transparency, integrity, and diligence as we work toward this important appointment.
### Contact Information: Kym Pleger,
Communications & Community Engagement Manager, Commissioners Office,
360.277.6032
| | | | Family-friendly Clean Water Open House scheduled for July 30 | 7/14/2026 | You're invited to our Community Clean Water Event on Thursday, July 30, 2026, where community members can learn about two important stormwater planning initiatives and provide valuable feedback. This open house will feature two opportunities for public participation: - Stormwater Management Action Plan (SMAP) Update: Review the draft SMAP update, ask questions, and provide feedback that will help shape the final plan.
- Stormwater Parks Planning Study: View the final stormwater park concept designs, learn about the planning process, and share your thoughts with the project team.
Representatives from Kitsap County Public Works Stormwater Division and project consultants will be available throughout the event to discuss both projects, answer questions, and gather community input. In addition to learning about these projects, attendees can enjoy fun activities for all ages and complimentary snacks, making it a great opportunity to connect with neighbors while learning about local clean water initiatives. Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026 Time: 6 – 8 p.m. Location: Silverdale Waterfront Park, 3337 NW Byron St, Silverdale, WA 98383 Additional project information is available online: We encourage everyone with an interest in clean water, stormwater management, and community planning to attend. Your feedback is an important part of helping us develop projects and plans that reflect community priorities. We look forward to seeing you on July 30! Contact
Information: Kitsap County Public Works Stormwater Division, 360.337.5777 or stormwater@kitsap.gov
| | | | Kitsap County Interim Sheriff interviews scheduled for Tuesday, July 14 | 7/8/2026 | Date: July 8, 2026 Kitsap County Interim Sheriff interviews scheduled for Tuesday, July 14(Port Orchard, WA) -The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners has announced the interview schedule for the Kitsap County Interim Sheriff position. The Board has reserved Tuesday, July, 14 beginning at 10 a.m. during a public session in the Port Blakely Conference Room in the Administration Building (619 Division Street, Port Orchard), to conduct interviews to explore qualifications of the three potential appointees. Former Sheriff John Gese resigned from his position effective June 29, 2026. The process for filling vacant partisan offices is directed by the Washington State Constitution Article II, Section 15. As Sheriff Gese was elected as a Democrat, the Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee provided the Kitsap County Board of County Commissioners, as appointing authority, with a list of three potential nominees to fill the vacancy. The Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee has nominated Ken Dickinson, Jeffrey Menge, and Brandon Myers. The Board has 60 days after an office becomes vacant to make an appointment. Following interviews on July 14, the Board will deliberate in executive session. They are expected to formally appoint the Interim Sheriff following background checks, no later than August 29. The appointee will serve until voters elect the next Kitsap County Sheriff during the November 2026 general election. While the Constitutional process takes place, the Board appointed Chief Penelope Sapp as Acting Sheriff. Chief Sapp is directing the daily operations of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office until the Interim Sheriff is appointed. Chief Sapp will be sworn-in as Acting Sheriff at the next Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Monday, July 13 at 5:30 p.m. She is not one of the three potential candidates being considered for the Interim Sheriff appointment. Interview schedule and nominee bios Tuesday, July 14, 10 a.m. – Jeffrey Menge
Jeffrey Menge has been employed with the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office for 23 years after three years of working as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Menge started in Patrol, became a Sergeant, a Lieutenant and a Division Chief. He has served in supervisory, management and leadership positions since 2012. Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m. – Brandon Myers
Brandon Myers brings more than 23 years of direct Kitsap County public safety experience. Myers started with the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office as an Explorer Cadet, and continued as a Reserve Deputy, 911 Dispatcher/Call Receiver, Patrol Deputy, Patrol Sargeant, Support Services Sergeant, and Detective Sergeant. Tuesday, July 14, Noon – Ken Dickinson
Ken Dickinson served at the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office for more than 31 years, before retiring in May 2025. During Dickinson's tenure, he served as a Patrol Deputy, Traffic Investigation Deputy, Patrol Sargeant, Civil and Support Services Sergeant, Traffic Sergeant, and ultimately the Civil and Support Services Lieutenant. He also served in collateral roles as a Field Training Officer, Marine Services Unity Deputy, Sergeant, and Public Information Officer. ###
Contact Information: Kym Pleger,
Communications & Community Engagement Manager, Commissioners Office,
360.277.6032 | | | | Kitsap County Parks Invests in Community Recreation with Gordon Field 1 Turf Replacement | 6/25/2026 | June 25, 2026 Kitsap County Parks Invests in Community Recreation with Gordon Field 1 Turf Replacement
Capital Improvement Program project will improve safety, expand recreation opportunities, and preserve a vital community asset (Kitsap County, WA) — Kitsap County Parks has begun construction on a replacement of the synthetic turf at Gordon Field 1. The project is part of Kitsap County Parks' Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The anticipated project cost is $827,366 and is funded by Real Estate Excise Taxes (REET), which is one of Parks' primary funding sources for capital projects. Every year, Gordon Field serves thousands of athletes, families, volunteers, and spectators through youth sports, school activities, recreational leagues, tournaments, and community events, with more than 1,320 hours of field use between June 2025 and June 2026 alone. As one of Kitsap County's most used athletic facilities, the existing synthetic turf has reached the end of its expected service life and is being replaced to maintain a safe, reliable, and quality playing surface. The new synthetic turf will improve durability while reducing maintenance needs and costs. The project will eliminate the use of crumb rubber infill, and the existing synthetic turf will be removed and recycled as part of Kitsap County's commitment to reduce environmental impacts. This Capital Improvement Program investment will help preserve an important community asset, ensuring local sports organizations, schools, and community groups continue to have access to a high-quality venue for practices, games, and other community activities. The goal is to strengthen the community by supporting youth development, encouraging healthy and active lifestyles, creating opportunities for families to gather, and helping attract athletic events that bring visitors to Kitsap County and support local businesses. Construction is expected to continue through early August. During this time, Gordon Field 1 will remain closed to the public. Visitors may notice construction equipment entering and leaving the site, and parking may be temporarily reduced due to equipment staging. Other park amenities will remain open unless otherwise posted. This project is separate from the Gordon Park Master Plan, which focuses on the long-term vision for future park improvements. Updates related to the Master Plan will be shared as that planning process continues. Kitsap County Parks appreciates the community's patience during construction and looks forward to reopening Gordon Field 1 later this summer with an upgraded facility that will continue serving the community for many years to come. For project updates, visit kitsap.gov/parks or contact parks@kitsap.gov.
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| | | | Kitsap County Announces Stage One Burn Ban | 6/18/2026 | PORT ORCHARD, Wash. -
The Kitsap County Fire Marshal, in coordination with the Kitsap County Fire Chiefs Association, announced the implementation of a Stage One ban on outdoor burning effective 8 a.m. Monday, June 22nd.
All burning permits are suspended, and outdoor burning other than cooking or recreational fires is prohibited until further notice. The ban is coordinated with Mason, Pierce, and King counties and is likely to remain in effect until late fall and the arrival of seasonal rainfall.
"Given the dry conditions, we're asking the community to exercise and abundance of caution," said Kitsap County Fire Marshal, David Lynam. "Even small outdoor fires can have outsized impacts during this time of year. Your cooperation helps protect our neighborhoods and first responders until conditions improve."
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Burn ban status page: https://kcowa.us/burnban Contact Information: Alicia Adler, Communications & Outreach Coordinator, Community Development
| | | | Givens Community Center to be listed for sale in summer of 2027 | 6/12/2026 | (Port Orchard, WA) - Kitsap County’s Board of Commissioners has considered various options for the Givens Community Center building in Port Orchard and plans to list the building for sale in the summer of 2027. The building is currently under a temporary certificate of occupancy due to not meeting certain code compliance requirements. The Givens building was built in 1940 and purchased by Kitsap County in 1992. The decision to sell the building was made after the County determined that rehabilitation is not financially feasible. Costs to bring the building to minimum compliance are estimated at $3.5 million, while full rehabilitation could run as high as $30 million. The Givens Community Center has historical significance to the community, with several long-term tenants. Kitsap County will identify space relocation options for internal services and provide the external tenants with time to relocate prior to listing the building for sale. “The Givens Community Center has served some of South Kitsap’s most cherished residents, including our retired senior community as well as our youngest neighbors, for over 30 years. The decision to sell the building was made after careful consideration of the County's ongoing budget constraints combined with the uncertain costs of restoring an 86-year-old structure,” said Commissioner Oran Root. "I'm committed to an open and transparent process that puts the people we serve first and ensures our essential services keep running smoothly.” Current tenants at the Givens Community Center include the OESD (Head Start preschool program), Discovery Montessori School, the Senior Center, and several Kitsap County internal services (Kitsap1, Kitsap Recovery Center, Information Services, Aging and Long-Term Care). The Department of Public Works will manage the sale of the Givens building and will execute a detailed relocation plan for the County’s internal services, which is expected to be completed later this year in anticipation of listing the property for sale in summer of 2027. ###
| | | | Kitsap County Board of Commissioners hopeful to see robust pool of candidates for next Sheriff | 6/12/2026 | CORRECTION: The email address is corrected to chair@kitsapdemocrats.org. The deadline is extended to Saturday, June 20, 5 p.m.
(Port Orchard, WA) - Earlier this week, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners initiated the constitutionally required process for appointment of an interim Sheriff. The Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee has notified the Board that applications are being accepted until Monday, June 15 at 5 p.m. and can be requested by emailing Chair@kitsapdemocrats.com. The Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee is expected to then submit a list of three qualified candidates to the Board to make an appointment decision. The appointed Sheriff will serve out the remainder of the unexpired term through December 2026 created with the resignation of Sheriff John Gese on June 26, 2026. The Board is hopeful there will be a robust pool of qualified candidates and encourages interested applicants to reach out to the Democratic Party. Chair Oran Root commented, “Ensuring the highest standards of public safety is paramount for the Board of Commissioners; our community remains safe. We are deeply grateful to our dedicated county deputies for their professionalism and to our neighboring public safety agencies for their continued partnership. We are committed to a smooth and stable transition within the law that supports both the well-being of our community and the dedicated men and women of the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office. This appointment is our top priority. We will continue to conduct this process with the utmost integrity, expediency, diligence, and care.” The Washington State Constitution requires the Board of County Commissioners to appoint replacements for vacancies in any partisan county elected office within 60 days from the date of vacancy. The appointee must be a member of the same political party as the elected officer who previously held the seat. The Board of County Commissioners will conduct a series of interviews open to the public. The interview times and location will be announced once confirmation is received of a successful applicant pool. Voters will choose the next sheriff in the November general election. ### Contact Information: Kimberly Pleger, Communications & Community Engagement Manager, Board of County Commissioners Office, 360.277.6032
| | | | Kitsap County Board of Commissioners Respond to Announcement of Sheriff Gese's Retirement | 6/8/2026 | June 8, 2026 (Port Orchard, WA) -Earlier today, Kitsap County Sheriff John Gese announced his retirement effective June 26, 2026. Sheriff Gese also announced the departure of the Undersheriff, the Detective and Support Services Chief, the Patrol Chief, and the Finance Manager. The Board of County Commissioners takes today’s news of the upcoming Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) command staff transition very seriously. These decisions were all within the purview of the elected Sheriff. “First and foremost, the Board of County Commissioners cares very deeply about the well-being of the County’s public safety staff and prioritizes the public safety of our community,” said Board Chair Oran Root. In response to this surprising announcement, the Board took action today to reflect the urgency of this situation. The Board took the following steps: - Requested verification of resignations of the KCSO command staff members from the Sheriff.
- Requested succession plans from KCSO.
- Initiated the constitutionally required process for appointment of an interim Sheriff by contacting the Kitsap County Democratic Party. The office of County Sheriff is a partisan office currently held by a member of the Democratic Party.
The Board appreciates and trusts the professionalism and commitment of Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office staff and the strength of our partnerships with neighboring law enforcement agencies. ### Contact Information: Kimberly Pleger, Communications & Community Engagement Manager, Board of County Commissioners Office, 360.277.6032
| | | | Commissioner’s Corner Shares the Future Vision and Needs for the Courthouse | 3/6/2026 | PORT ORCHARD, Wash. – For decades, the Kitsap County Courthouse has been at the center of our judicial system – a place where decisions are made every day that affect families, businesses, and public safety. But behind the scenes, the building itself has been struggling to keep up with the demands of a modern justice system. In the latest Commissioner's Corner video, District 2 Commissioner Oran Root speaks with Acting Assistant Director Todd Parkington and Judge Melissa Hemstreet to find out why the courthouse needs more than another short-term fix; what's driving the decision to modernize it, and what these changes mean for the people who use the building every day. With close to 230,000 people visiting the courthouse every year, this 90-year regional public facility is critically important to county operations. Years of temporary fixes have kept it operational, and future plans will solve issues around safety, accessibility and capacity. Watch Commissioner's Corner: The full episode featuring Commissioner Root, Acting Assistant Director of Capital Facilities Todd Parkington, and Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Melissa Hemstreet is available anytime on BKAT's YouTube channel. For more information and to stay informed of progress on modernizing the Courthouse, visit the project webpage. Contacts: Kym Pleger, Communications Manager, Kitsap County Public Works
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