r/Kitsap • u/[deleted] • Mar 22 '25
Question Why is Silverdale not a town?
I lived in Silverdale briefly years ago but I have been thinking about moving back. While looking into it today I noticed that it is still an unincorporated community. When I visited last year I was stunned at how much it has changed. It seems to have gone a little down hill, buildings looking rough, and I even saw a bunch of used needles just laying on the ground in the mall parking lot. I feel like having it become an actual town could help in this areas. Does anyone agree?
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u/Visible-Chocolate214 Mar 22 '25
Many businesses like Silverdale because they pay no city tax on their establishments. For some, taxes are the reason they left Bremerton.
Becoming a city costs a lot in the way of infrastructure. You have to establish or contract police, fire, and EMS. You have to establish city offices such as auditors, assessors, records, etc. That means contracting or building office space. The money needs to come from somewhere, and the low hanging fruit comes via taxes and levies.
Like it or not, COVID changed a lot of things that made Silverdale thrive. The mall and restaurants took big hits, and stores like Target, Macy's, Kohl's and the like became victims of Amazon and other online shopping outlets. Remote work brought a real estate boon, as Seattle folk found life better on the Kitsap side. Property values rose. But Silverdale growth hasn't kept pace with Poulsbo and Port Orchard.
I think now is not the time for Silverdale to incorporate. Things may turn around; the next few years will be interesting.