August 4, 2026, Special City Council Meeting

The City of Port Orchard held a special City Council meeting on August 4, 2026, to interview candidates for a vacant council position following Heidi’s departure. Council members interviewed four applicants—Paul Font, Wayne Wright, Joel Shepard Samson, and Tiffany (surname not clear in the transcript)—using five prepared questions on the council member’s role, candidate experience, managing growth, current city challenges, and fiscal stewardship. The council discussed interview timing and consistency, possible clarifying questions, and the process for subsequent deliberations; no appointment vote was taken. The council planned to reconvene Thursday, with a possible procedural debrief in executive session followed by public deliberations if ready.

Candidates raised broad issues including housing affordability, transportation and traffic, infrastructure and water, growth management, public engagement, transparency, and responsible use of taxpayer funds. References to road and utility projects, loans, taxes, and infrastructure were general discussion in candidate responses; no specific procurement, contract award, vendor selection, bid approval, or budget allocation was identified.