City Encourages Applicants to Boards and Commissions

Bloomington, Ind. - The City of Bloomington’s Office of the Mayor and Office of the City Clerk are accepting applications from community members who would like to serve on one of the City’s boards or commissions.  Some of these bodies are anticipating vacancies as current terms expire in December 2018 and January 2019. Applications are being sought to fill spaces on the Arts Commission, the Redevelopment Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and a number of others.

The City’s boards and commissions give residents the opportunity to 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.  In addition to their advisory function, these bodies may work cooperatively with City departments to contribute to policy, approve resolutions and fund projects, among other responsibilities.

“The more than 300 residents who serve on our boards and commissions play an essential role in guiding our City, for which I am deeply grateful,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “The insight and expertise these community members bring from their professional lives and lived experiences is invaluable to the City’s decision-making process. I urge residents to lend the City the benefit of your time, skills, and ideas as a board member or commissioner.”  

More information about each board and commission -- including mission statements, membership requirements, current membership listings and term lengths -- is available from the “Boards and Commissions” button on the City’s webpage at bloomington.in.gov.  To apply for a position on one of the bodies, residents are directed to the “OnBoard” portal at the following link:  bloomington.in.gov/onboard.  After applying, members must be appointed to each body by the Mayor, the Common Council, or another board or commission.  City residency is required for membership on most of the boards and commissions.

Prospective applicants are urged to attend a meeting of the board or commission of their choosing prior to applying. Meeting schedules and locations can be found under the “Information” tab for each body on OnBoard.  All meetings of the City’s boards and commissions are free and open to the public.

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