City of Bremerton Working with Affected Federal Employees, Families Impacted by Federal Shutdown

Beginning the day of the federal shutdown, Mayor Greg Wheeler directed his administration to implement protocols for the City of Bremerton, which has been working since that time with affected workers and their families. 

“Working with affected federal workers has been something we’ve been doing since Day One of the federal shutdown. We are committed to working with employees and their families, and reaching out to partners and other agencies to provide assistance during this time,” said Mayor Wheeler. 

Mayor Wheeler has been in communication with Jennifer Herbig, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, to ensure that all impacted workers at the Bremerton shipyard are covered until the shutdown ends. The shipyard in Bremerton is the largest federal employer in the City of Bremerton. The City is also working to assist workers at other federal agencies that have also been impacted. 

“We wanted to take steps from the beginning to help support our affected federal workforce who are contributing to our national security, providing essential services and continuing to work and serve the public during the shutdown,” said Mayor Wheeler.

Some of the earliest efforts have included working with federal workers to defer City utility bills. Impacted federal employees with questions related to their City of Bremerton utility bills can contact the Utility Billing office at 360-473-5316 or billing@ci.bremerton.wa.us. For questions about trash and recycling billing, please can contact melinda.monroe@ci.bremerton.wa.us.

“Having emergency protocols and a framework at the ready is crucial. We first developed them six years ago and have revised efforts as the need arises,” said Mayor Wheeler. “We have implemented protocols and a number of measures right now to help provide essential assistance until the shutdown ends.”