Through a variety of boards and commissions, established by the City of Bloomington, residents can provide input on the policies that shape their government and their city. There are currently more than 45 boards and commissions that advise the Mayor and City Council on a vast array of issues.
To apply to a board, please click on any section below for more details about the board or commission. Those boards with current vacancies will show "(Vacancy)" next to the board name. You can also take a look at the application form here.
Each board and commission page provides a link to their meeting calendar.
City Boards and Commissions
Animal Control Commission
Formulating, adopting and implementing policies, principles, and standards for humane treatment and control of all animals in the city
Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Commission
(Vacancy)Providing advocacy and safety programs for pedestrians, cyclists & runners.
Bloomington Arts Commission
A citizen-driven Arts Commission that supports arts and cultural production through funding and other partnerships.
Bloomington Digital Underground Advisory Committee
The Bloomington Digital Underground is a comprehensive program to install fiber-optic cable and conduit throughout the city.
Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission
(Vacancy)The Commission recognizes that through preservation and design-conscious development, Bloomington's historic neighborhoods and buildings can continue to provide an affordable, sustainable, and genuine place to live, work, and visit. Furthermore, the Commission recognizes that the preservation or adaptive reuse of the City's historic building stock serves the needs of residents, business owners, and visitors by contributing to a growing, diverse, and vibrant local economy.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission oversees the duties and responsibilities of the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development.
Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association
(Vacancy)The Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA) works to improve the economic, physical, and social environment for Zone residents and businesses
Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission
The commission educates and enforces civil rights issues including ADA and living wage compliance and other human rights violations.
Board of Housing Quality Appeals
The Board shall hear appeals of decisions of city rental & lodging inspection programs.
Board of Park Commissioners
The Board of Park Commissioners is a policy-making authority for the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.
Board of Public Safety
(Vacancy)The Public Safety Board oversees the Police and Fire Departments.
Board of Public Works
The Board of Public Works monitors and grants final approval to commission resolutions and directives.
Board of Zoning Appeals
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) hears and makes the final decision on requests for variances from both the development and the use standards in the Unified Development Ordinance.
Cascades Golf Course Advisory Council
The Cascades Golf Course Advisory Council acts in an advisory capacity to the Board of Park Commissioners matters pertaining to facilities, operations, and policies.
CDBG Funding Citizens Advisory Committee
(Vacancy)This is the public body that reviews and recommends Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funding for a variety of community projects.
Citizens' Redistricting Advisory Commission
(Vacancy)An independent, politically balanced body whose purpose is to recommend new boundaries that divide the city into six council districts, following a decennial Census.
City of Bloomington Capital Improvement (CBCI)
(Vacancy) (No Public Appointments)Commission on Aging
The commission serves as a catalyst for improving public awareness of the senior and aging community.
Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs
(Vacancy)The commission works to identify and research the issues which impact the Hispanic and Latino populations in Bloomington, especially in the areas of health, education, public safety and cultural competency.
Commission on Sustainability
(Vacancy)Promotes economic development, environmental health, and social equity in our community for present and future generations.
Commission on the Status of Black Males
(Vacancy)The commission organizes events and program around the multi-faceted problems confronting Black males in our community and the resulting effects on the entire community
Commission on the Status of Children and Youth
Promotes connections in our community which empower, enhance and nurture children and youth.
Commission on the Status of Women
The commission celebrates women's accomplishments, and promotes solutions to the problems and challenges faced by women.
Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission
(Vacancy)Advises the Bloomington Common Council on perceptions and preferences about public safety from community members.
Council for Community Accessibility
A volunteer group that advocates for the interests of people with disabilities
Dispatch Policy Board
(Vacancy)The Dispatch Policy Board serves as the oversight board for central emergency dispatch.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission
The Commission sponsors events and programs to commemorate the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday.
Economic Development Commission
The Bloomington Economic Development Commission (EDC) was created to enhance economic growth within the City.
Environmental Commission
(Vacancy)Established in 1971 by municipal ordinance, the Bloomington Environmental Commission (EC) is an advisory body composed of Bloomington citizens appointed by the Mayor and Common Council.
Environmental Resources Advisory Council
The Environmental Resource Advisory Council acts in an advisory capacity to the Board of Park Commissioners in all policy matters pertaining to the operations of City natural areas or facilities. The ERAC also assists in the formulation of policies relating to the use and protection of environmentally sensitive and natural areas.
Farmers' Market Advisory Council
(Vacancy)The Farmers' Market Advisory Council consists of nine members representing two groups, Market customers and Market vendors.
Hearing Officer
(Vacancy)The Hearing Officer hears and makes the final decision on certain conditional uses, as specified in the Plan Commission rules.
Housing Authority Board
Commissioners serve as the governing officers of a public-corporate entity, one that functions as a developer and landlord of local low-income housing programs.
Monroe County Domestic Violence Coalition
The coalition is committed to improving our community's response to domestic violence issues through communication and coordination of services.
MPO Citizens Advisory Committee
A volunteer group consisting of representatives from community organizations, professional organizations, neighborhood associations, and the private sector.
MPO Policy Committee
The Policy Committee of the Bloomington-Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMCMPO) discusses and approves MPO policies, plans, and programs.
MPO Technical Advisory Committee
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Bloomington-Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization provides the Policy Committee with technical advice on projects and programs that the MPO has developed.
Parking Commission
(Vacancy)Coordinates policy & activities on parking matters.
Plan Commission
(Vacancy)The Plan Commission is the land use and development policy body for the City and is the decision-making body for site plan review, preliminary and final plats, and final Planned Unit Developments (PUD's).
Plat Committee
(Vacancy)Hears and makes final decisions on preliminary and final plat (subdivision) requests
Public Transit Corporation
A separate municipal corporation charged with the management of the Bloomington Transit System,
Traffic Commission
(Vacancy)An advisory board related to traffic conditions, issues, and activities. Provides recommendations to Common Council & city officials.
Tree Commission
The Tree Commission assists with urban forestry and public education on the care of trees
Utilities Service Board
Oversees the Utilities Department and coordinates operations with City policies.
City Council and Council Standing Committees
City Council
(No Public Appointments)The legislative body for City government.
City Council Climate Action & Resilience Committee
(No Public Appointments)The Climate Action and Resilience Committee considers legislation focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing community resilience in the face of climate change.
Committee on Council Processes
(No Public Appointments)Jack Hopkins Social Services Committee
Provides one-time funding to social services agencies for projects that have made a difference in the lives of City residents in need.
Public Safety Local Income Tax Committee of the Monroe County Local Income Tax Council
(No Public Appointments)Sidewalk Committee
(No Public Appointments)The Sidewalk committee funds the design and construction of new sidewalks.
Inactive Boards
Banneker Advisory Council
(No Public Appointments)The BCCAC provides valuable guidance and feedback, and serves as a connection to the broader Bloomington community in order for Banneker to continue to serve as a cultural hub that aims to inspire individuals to maximize their full potential.
Bloomington Industrial Development Advisory Commission
(Vacancy)The Bloomington Industrial Development Advisory Commission (BIDAC) is an advisory body that oversees the City of Bloomington's two CRED districts. The Downtown CRED and Thomson CRED Districts allow the City to capture increased sales and income tax dollars generated by new investment in downtown, to use the funds for economic development purposes.
City Council Administration Committee
(No Public Appointments)The Administration Committee considers legislation referred to it by the Council focusing on matters of basic administration of city government and internal services provided by certain departments and divisions
City Council Community Affairs Committee
(No Public Appointments)The Community Affairs Committee considers legislation focusing on the outreach and community support functions.
City Council Housing Committee
(No Public Appointments)the Housing Committee considers legislation focusing on the various facets of housing in the city, including support for low-income housing and historic preservation.
City Council Land Use Committee
(No Public Appointments)The Land Use Committee makes recommendations to the Plan Commission. It focuses on the Comprehensive Plan, the Unified Development Ordinance, and land use within the city.
City Council Public Safety Committee
(No Public Appointments)The Public Safety Committee focuses public safety and animal control
City Council Sustainable Development Committee
(No Public Appointments)The Sustainable Development Committee considers legislation focusing on promoting and implementing sustainability
City Council Transportation Committee
(No Public Appointments)The Transportation Committee considers legislation focusing on all types of transportation infrastructure and planning.
City Council Utilities & Sanitation Committee
The Utilities and Sanitation Committee considers legislation focusing on water treatment, wastewater treatment, stormwater infrastructure, and sanitation.
Deer Task Force
Deer Task Force was charged with developing recommendations to mitigate issues of human-deer interaction, the ecological impact of deer and to engage in public education. The group submitted its report in December 2012 and has now sunset.
Financial Task Force
Housing Trust Fund Board of Directors
This Housing Trust Fund board administers the Housing Trust Fund Endowment. Creating and preserving affordable housing for low-income citizens.
Inclusive Recreation Advisory Committee
Innovation Task Force
This group was tasked in January, 2016 with reviewing and subsequently offering recommendations to enhance the City's interactions with its citizens and improving its internal efficiencies
Peak Oil Task Force
This task force was charged with study current and credible data; seek community feedback; coordinate efforts with other governmental agencies; work to educate the community; and, to develop a Bloomington Peak Oil Task Force Report.
Sanitation Modernization Advisory Committee
Makes recommendations to improve the City's proposal to modernize solid waste and recycling collection services.
Telecommunications Council
Has been responsible for reviewing and evaluating the performance of city cable franchise agreements. The Telecommunications Council has not met since 2013.