Mayor candidate calls for better budget Jeff Coughlin, Bremerton

For years, Bremerton lived within its means, with a balanced budget and healthy reserves. That was true in 2017, before the current mayor took office.

Since then, spending has exploded. Citywide spending has nearly doubled in 7 years. When federal COVID relief arrived in 2021, it gave Bremerton breathing room, but the city spent as if it would last forever. From 2022–2024, the General Fund — which covers services like police, fire, parks, streets, courts, permits, and more — spent $1.3 million more than came in.