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County building open on Fridays The Kitsap County Administration Building reopened on Fridays beginning last week, with the auditor’s office expanding its service to regular business hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. “Since closing the administration building on Fridays back in 2009 due to budget reductions, we’ve invested heavily countywide in process improvements, efficiencies, and energy retrofits that have reduced our expenses,” said Commissioner Josh Brown, chair of the board of commissioners. “At the same time, we’ve increased our services available online. Now, we’re able to continue restoring hours in those offices the public wants direct access to, without increasing general fund expenditures.” As the economy has recovered, the auditor’s office has received increas-
ing requests to open on Fridays. “We in the auditor’s office are committed to providing the highest level of service delivery to our customers,” said Kitsap County Auditor Walter E. Washington. “Opening on Fridays provides more options for our customers during the standard business week.” Besides running elections for the county, the auditor’s office offers vehicle, boat, marriage and pet licensing, real estate recording services and business licensing. Last spring, in response to increased requests from local builders for access to services on Fridays, the department of community development opened its offices from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. offering limited services including building permit submittals and issuances, general inquiries and inspection appointments. Director Larry Keeton
said it will retain the same schedule through the end of the year and look at increased hours in 2014. Though the county treasurer’s office will remain closed on Fridays, treasurer Meredith Green said to coincide with the auditor’s office re-opening on Fridays, her office will bring a new electronic Real Estate Excise Tax program (known as e-REET) online for the public. The program allows title companies to submit excise transactions electronically. Though closed to the public Fridays, the treasurer’s office has continued to process bank and investment transactions. The assessor’s office will also remain closed on Fridays. After cutting back staff hours in 2009, Assessor Jim Avery said he hasn’t had the demand from the public to return in-house, dropin service on Fridays and
customer visits have fallen off hugely since assessment and property data and filing was put online. Since the closure, his office has put in place more effective and efficient business practices to make up for the cuts in staff time. Other departments housed in the administration building include the commissioners’ office and administrative services. The public works building, located across Cline Avenue from the administration building, houses personnel, human services and public works administration. Commissioners are talking with other department directors in both buildings about phasing in expanded hours by mid-January. The county courthouse has remained open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the administration building closure.
KPHD appoints new administrator Scott Daniels is Kitsap Public Health District’s first agency administrator. He was appointed last week by the agency’s board of directors. Daniels currently serves as the Health District’s deputy director. He is a
23-year veteran of the agency. Scott Lindquist, MD, MPH, who is currently the agency’s director of Health and Health Officer, will retain his position. “The move yesterday changes the health dis-
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trict’s leadership structure from one with a single individual serving as both director of health and health officer, to one with a health officer and a separate administrator,” states a press release from the Kitsap Public Health District. “The Kitsap Public Health Board is very pleased to recognize the contributions Daniels has made to the Health District, and have someone of his caliber serving as our district administrator,” said Board Chair and Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown. “We are also pleased that Dr. Lindquist can now more effectively focus his considerable talents on the many health issues that require his strong leadership and expertise.” According to the press release, Daniels will serve as the board’s administra-
tive officer, direct the district’s day-to-day management and business operations, and continue as the agency’s budget director, legislative liaison, and public information officer. Lindquist will continue to have responsibility as health officer for controlling and preventing the spread of infectious diseases, overseeing compliance with public health statutes and rules, and promoting public health in Kitsap County, as provided under state law. Daniels received both his master’s degree in Environmental Science and his bachelor’s degree from Indiana UniversityBloomington. He currently lives with his wife and son on Bainbridge Island. Lindquist was hired as the Health District’s Director of Health and Health Officer in 2001.
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Friday, November 15, 2013
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Harrison Medical Center recognized for its high quality care
Harrison Medical Center was recognized recently for exemplary performance in using practices that improve care for certain conditions by the nation’s leading hospital accreditation commission. The Joint Commission named Harrison a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures specifically for its quality measures related to heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care. This designation demonstrates Harrison’s continuing commitment to accountability and using proven practices that improve patient care. “Providing our patients with safe, exceptional care every day is of utmost importance to Harrison,” said Harrison President and CEO Scott Bosch. “This achievement reflects that dedication, and I am very proud of our staff.” Harrison is among the top third of all The Joint Commissionaccredited hospitals in the nation who have achieved this recognition. The Joint Commission accredits more than 3,300 hospitals nationwide. Only 10 hospitals in Washington state were named this year as Top Performers on various measures. The ratings are based on an aggregation of accountability data reported to The Joint Commission during 2012. “Harrison and all the Top Performer hospitals have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to quality improvement and they should be proud of their achievement,” said Mark R. Chassin, MD, FACP, MPP, MPH, president and chief executive officer of The Joint Commission. Learn about Harrison’s quality initiatives at harrisonmedical.org/ home/quality-safety.
Bremerton-based KPS Health Plans is rated seventh nationwide KPS Health Plans was recently ranked seventh – out of 191 – on the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2013 Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey for Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans nationwide. These ratings reflect the opinions of KPS members, who are also federal workers. “This year’s results recognize the excellent care and service provided by our dedicated customer service representatives, claims staff, and medical providers that our members have come to expect,” said KPS Health Plans President Jim Page. Every year KPS Health Plans participates in the CAHPS survey, which informs KPS and the Office of Personnel Management how satisfied members are with the quality of their health care and with their health plan services also provided by KPS. KPS Health Plans is a nonprofit health carrier based in Bremerton, Wash., KPS was founded in 1946. Although it was acquired by Group Health Cooperative in 2005, KPS still maintains a separate brand in the marketplace. KPS Health Plans offers preferred provider organization (PPO) plans and Medicare supplement plans. For more information, visit www.kpshealthplans.com.
Liz Bailey joins Windermere Property Management Windermere Property Management/West Sound has announced that Liz Bailey has joined their Property Management team effective Nov. 1. Bailey is a Seattle native and has been a Kitsap County resident for more than 30 years. She has a professional background in architecture and has participated in design and construction projects both here and abroad. She also has extensive experience serving as a development consultant to small businesses and non-profit organizations. Bailey is a member of the Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce, an avid horse enthusiast and a member of the Olympic Peninsula Arabian Club. She is active in both local and global missions outreach projects. She can be reached at 206-910-1800 or at LizBailey@Windermere.com.
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