Community Government

Katrina Knutson to be permanent city administrator

Gig Harbor has appointed Katrina Knutson as city administrator, the city announced Monday night.

Knutson, the city’s community development director, added the role of interim administrator when Linda Kelly resigned after only a month on the job because of an unexpected illness. Kelly had taken over on April 18 from Tony Piesecki, who retired. The city announced her departure May 18.

Knutson’s position will become official with a vote of the City Council at its June 27 meeting.

“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve the city in this new role,” Knutson said in a news release. “Above all else, the city of Gig Harbor’s No. 1 asset is the wonderful city staff, who I intend to support, consult and collaborate with to achieve the city’s future goals.

Katrina Knutson

“It is through the hard work and dedication of the staff that the city can meet and exceed our community’s needs and desires. I look forward to partnering with Mayor (Tracie) Markley, the City Council, city staff and our civic partners as we work together to build on our strengths and strategically plan for a successful future.”

Knutson, who has lived in Gig Harbor since 2006, has been with the city since 2016, working as a parks project administrator and interim planning director before being named community development director in 2019. She previously worked as a planner with Kitsap County from 2006-2016.

She will work closely with Markley and the City Council, managing daily operations, supervising all departments and offices, and carrying out policies as set forth by the council. She will be responsible for enforcing laws, informing the mayor and council on important matters relating to municipal government functions, and directing the preparation of the budget.

“In her interim role as city administrator, Katrina has surpassed my expectations and has gained an even deeper level of trust with our staff and the community,” Markley said. “Among her many strengths, Katrina has tremendous knowledge of city policy and procedure, steps up to any call for action, ensures excellence in all that she does and, most of all, cares deeply for others. In all of this and so much more, I am confident that she will effectively perform the duties of city administrator.”

Knutson holds a bachelor’s degree in community and environmental planning from the University of Washington. She will graduate with an executive master’s of Public Administration in December from the University of South Dakota.

She is a member of the International City-County Management Association and a nationally certified planner from the American Planning Association. Knutson has received two Washington State Governor’s Awards for planning and public engagement.