Port Orchard, Wash. — The Port Orchard City Council voted to accept a donation of real property from Port Orchard Industrial Park LLC on Nov. 25, approving an ordinance to add parcel 55392000-001-0004 to city property for use by public works.

City staff said the parcel was offered to the city after the municipality acquired an adjacent utility operations building. "The owner offered to donate this parcel to the city," said Mr. Ryan, a city staff member, adding staff received a commercial appraisal in the roughly $180,000 range and recommended using the lot for additional storage.

Council members pressed staff on potential liabilities tied to a private stormwater pond on the parcel. "I can't tell you what the condition of that private storm pond is at this time," Mr. Ryan said, and added that staff performed a video inspection and did not identify major structural issues. Finance staff and operations leaders told the council the city has equipment and personnel for routine pond maintenance and that about $70,000 has been identified in the 2026 budget to finalize site improvements.

One council member opposed accepting additional land citing maintenance concerns; the council nonetheless passed the ordinance by voice vote, later recorded as 6–1 in favor.

Why it matters: As Port Orchard grows, public-works storage and lay-down yards are in higher demand. Accepting the parcel increases immediate capacity but prompted a debate over longer-term maintenance responsibilities for privately built infrastructure that could become a city obligation.

What's next: Staff will work on site improvements and prepare any required operational plans for the parcel; no further council action was recorded on this item at the meeting.