Finance & Administrative Services

Planned Upcoming Water and Sewer Rate Changes

After an extensive fee study and eight public meetings with the city’s Utility Advisory Committee the city is proposing to raise water and sewer rates. See this page for more details, including slides from a recent City Council presentation and the full fee study.

Economic Relief Measures During COVID-19 

Visit the City’s COVID-19 webpage for more information on City COVID-19 response.


City Pays Debit & Credit Card Fees

Beginning July 1, 2021, the City will resume in-person payments; therefore, customers will be responsible for convenience fees for any credit or debit card payments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City paid $52,000 in convenience fees on behalf of customers while in-person payments were not an option.

The City's third-party vendor is PayGov.US, which assesses a 3.0% convenience fee on all credit/debit card transactions (with a minimum fee of $3.00 on all transactions under $33.00).

We look forward to welcoming our customers in person once again.  

Utility Payments

City of Bainbridge Island Water and Sewer Services Will Not Be Shut Off During This Outbreak. City of Bainbridge Island water and sewer services will not be shut off due to the impacts of COVID-19. Bainbridge Island utility customers who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus can request information on setting up payment plans and waiving late fees on their bills. The City of Bainbridge Island will pay the credit card fees charged by the third-party vendor during the time of the declared emergency. Customers are encouraged as soon as possible to contact Utility Billing at (206) 780-8614 or (206) 780-8603, or email finance@bainbridgewa.gov for information on payment plans.

Electric Services Will Not Be Disconnected During This Outbreak. Puget Sound Energy (PSE) will not disconnect utility services due to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19.  PSE is waiving late fees for customers. Customers can find more information at PSE’s COVID-19 Response webpage.

Utility Payment Options

City Hall resumes in-person utility payments. Submit your water/sewer payment using one of the options outlined below. (For utility billing questions, email finance@bainbridgewa.gov or call (206) 780-8614 or (206) 780-8603, Mon - Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

  • In person at City Hall: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • By Mail: Mail your payment with payment coupon or account information to:

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  • Debit/Credit Card Payments: Call 24-hours a day at (206) 521-5127. (There are no credit/debit card convenience fees for using this pay-by-phone option. This option is for utility payments only.)
  • Online - https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/211/PaymentOptions
  • Payment Drop Box - Drop your payment at our payment drop box located at City Hall (located across from the Town Square off Henshaw Way NE).

PayBox


For Businesses

City of Bainbridge Island Suspends Late Payment Fees on Delayed Business Tax Filings. Effective immediately, the City of Bainbridge Island Department of Finance is waiving late payment fees for businesses that fail to file taxes and renew their business license as a result of the coronavirus. To seek a waiver of penalties due to COVID-19, please contact Finance at (206) 842-7633 or email finance@bainbridgewa.gov.

Washington State Department of Commerce announced March 22, 2020, disaster assistance to Washington small businesses impacted by COVID-19.  

Washington State Department of Revenue is offering a variety of extensions and penalty waivers for Businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced that small businesses in Kitsap County are now eligible to apply for low-interest SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans to reduce economic injury resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19). Eligible small businesses can receive loans to pay debt, payroll, and other bill payments that cannot be made because of loss in revenue due to COVID-19. To apply for the federal SBA loan and to find other information, visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.


Other Non-utility Payment Options

City Hall has resumed in-person payments.  Finance & Administrative Services has worked with City Departments to ensure payments are received. Submit payment for Court Fines, Moorage, Right-of-Way Permits, Planning/Building Permits**, and Other Directed Miscellaneous Payments using one of the options outlined below. Credit/debit card fees apply to all transactions. (For  payment questions call (206) 842-7633, Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

  • In person at City Hall: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • By Mail: Mail your payment with payment information to:

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  • Debit/Credit Card Payments  - 
    • In person at City Hall, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    • PayGov.US - Pay 24 hrs/day
    • Call the City at (206) 842-7633, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Payment Drop Box - Drop your payment at our payment drop box located at City Hall (located across from the Town Square off Henshaw Way NE)

** For questions regarding available payment options for your permit, contact Planning & Community Development at (206) 780-3750.


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The Department of Finance and Administrative Services supports the City Council, the City Manager, all City departments, and the community, providing a wide range of support for administration and general financial reporting. Finance also supports services to citizens such as City business endorsement and utility billing, as well as administrative central support to the City’s five operating departments. The department has three primary functions: Accounting and Audit, Budget and Operations, and citywide Financial Planning. 

Accounting and Audit

The Accounting group completes all required financial report and audit functions. Accounting manages and maintains financial records conforming to generally accepted accounting principles and complying with federal, state, and local laws. This group prepares the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which is subject to the annual audit, and administers investment of public funds, cash management, and the issuance of debt. This group also provides front desk reception and cashiering services, as well as City business endorsement and accounts payable.

Budget and Operations

The Budget group collects money on behalf of the City through revenue and receivables via utility billing and accounts receivable. This group monitors finance performance throughout the year, and prepares adjustments as needed for Council consideration and approval. The Budget group is responsible for the preparation, monitoring, and reporting on the City’s budget. This group also manages payroll, performs periodic reporting, and maintains the information on the City’s financial transparency web portal.  

Financial Planning

Financial Planning staff works with both budget and accounting functions. The primary focus for these staff is to forecast revenue, and monitor capital and operating spending. Forecasting is done both for same-year analysis and two- to six-year outlook.