Community Government
Barber sworn in as mayor of Gig Harbor
The Gig Harbor City Council unanimously appointed Mary Barber to be Gig Harbor’s mayor and directed city staff to solicit applications for her now-vacant council seat.
The council also approved a budget of $190.7 million for the 2025-26 biennium at a meeting on Monday, Nov. 25. That’s a relatively barebones budget, as permit fees and other revenue sources continue to be lower than anticipated.
City to consider revenue options
For years, the city relied on development fees as its major income source. But in 2023, development ground to a halt and other revenue such as real estate excise fees also decreased.
Mary Barber, right, takes the oath off office as the new mayor of Gig Harbor. Performing the swearing-in was Councilmember Brenda Lykins, the mayor pro tempore. Photo by Charlee Glock-Jackson.
To counter the downward trend, the council will likely consider imposing a business and occupation tax next year. The council also could increase other taxes.
In April, city residents overwhelmingly voted against increasing property taxes to counter the deficit. In August, voters approved a one-tenth of 1% public safety sales tax increase proposal. And in September, the city council tacked on another 0.1% sales tax increase via the city’s transportation benefit district.
To offset the budgetary imbalance, the city postponed 38 capital projects, such as street and park maintenance. The city also left several staff positions vacant.
Some projects, like Phase 1 of the Sports Complex, repaving Soundview Drive and installing rapid flashing beacons at crosswalks, will not be affected.
The Fishermen’s Homeport in Ancich Park will also move forward, provided the city can procure state funding. The homeport is at the top of the city’s wish list for state money.
If it’s built, the homeport will create moorage space for up to 17 commercial fishing vessels. A dozen people, including members of the fishing community and a former city councilman, spoke in support of the Homeport project at the Nov. 25 meeting.
City accepting applications to fill council vacancy
Barber is a familiar face at city hall. She has served on the city’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee since 2023 and was parks commissioner from 2020-2022.
The council appointed her to serve for the remainder of Tracie Markley’s term in January 2022, after voters picked Markley as the next mayor. Barber won election to the council in November 2023.
Markley resigned as mayor on Nov. 18, citing family health issues.
Barber is a graduate of Whitman College in Walla Walla and has worked in public relations and communications for more than four decades, including 22 years as a small business owner. She told Gig Harbor Now that she has not yet considered whether she will run for mayor in November 2025.
Barber’s appointment as mayor creates a vacancy on the council. City residents who have lived in the city for at least a year as of Dec. 12 and are registered voters are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is Dec. 10.
The council will interview applicants on Thursday, Dec. 12, then vote to select the replacement. That individual will serve until the November 2025 general election is certified.
Council members typically spend 10 to 15 hours a week on city duties and make $775 per month. Download an application here.
Legislative agenda
The council unanimously approved the city’s legislative priorities for 2025-26. In addition to a request for $1 million for the Fisherman’s Homeport project, the city is also asking for state funding for construction of fish passages, indigent defense and infrastructure projects.
Next meetings
The council meets for study sessions at 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, to review proposed changes to the city’s comprehensive plan. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Meetings are held in person at the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St. and can be accessed via Zoom.