With a strong connection to its maritime heritage, Gig Harbor is both a city and a bay on Puget Sound.  Home to more than 12,000 residents and a healthy tourism industry, the City of Gig Harbor wants to lead the way in livability, environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and municipal services. By identifying six priorities, the city staff have a strategic three-year plan to achieve their goals.

The first priority is to foster a healthy city organization by looking inward at their staff and policies and hiring systems.  A second priority addresses ensuring a sustainable future for public services and facilities by listening to the community needs and expectations while balancing those expectations about what capital projects the city can afford to maintain in the future.

“Finding that balance between what the residents want and what is financially feasible in the long term is a challenge that the city staff have embraced, as demonstrated by our commitment to thoughtful planning, transparent budgeting, and dedicated engagement with our community,” City Administrator Katrina Knutson said. “We are not just building for today; we are planning for tomorrow by making sure every investment aligns with our core values of stewardship, accountability, and service.

A big priority for city staff is maintaining the smalltown character and historic preservation of the city while still growing it responsibly.  Big projects that fall under this heading include completing a sports complex and designing and constructing a Fisherman’s Homeport.  Reaching these goals while promoting environmental sustainability and preserving Gig Harbor’s natural beauty is another priority.

“Our team is working hard to ensure that the decisions we make now will serve our residents well into the future,” Knutson said.

Promoting and enhancing a dynamic and robust economy is next on the list.  By supporting the Downtown Waterfront Alliance and the Chamber of Commerce as well as promoting downtown businesses and the various events held there, Gig Harbor hopes to increase the vitality of the city.

“By continuing to evaluate and amend development regulations, as well as collaborating with other community partners, we want to retain businesses and attract new ones,” Knutson said. “We are focused on creating an environment where businesses feel supported, visitors are welcomed, and residents can enjoy a thriving local economy that reflects the unique character and charm of Gig Harbor.

A priority that underpins all others is providing a safe, healthy, and inclusive community. These efforts include evaluating plans to fund a permanent senior center, establishing a youth council and ensuring high standards of ADA compliance all while monitoring city water systems and obtaining police department accreditation.

“Our three-year plan is aggressive, and we are committed to meeting our goals and creating a city that is the envy of the Puget Sound,” Knutson said. “We’ve already celebrated many successes. Most recently, the Youth Council is now accepting applications and will launch this fall, and in May the police department received its official certificate of accreditation.”

For more information about Gig Harbor please visit https://www.gigharborwa.gov/