City of Bloomington Seeks Residents to Serve on Boards and Commissions

The City of Bloomington invites residents to apply for positions on multiple boards and commissions. These service opportunities will allow members of the public to directly participate in city government initiatives and policy-making processes. Positions are currently available as follows:

Board of Housing Quality Appeals — Hears appeals from individuals who are the subject of, or directly impacted by, a ruling or decision of the enforcing officer or any administration official, in any matter relative to the interpretation or enforcement of any of the provisions of Title 16 of the Bloomington Municipal Code. The board is authorized to make investigations relative to the appeal and may overrule the decisions of any administrative officer, including the neighborhood development division.

Seat(s) available: 2 • Appointed by: Mayor (1), Common Council (1)

Board of Public Safety — Oversees the City’s police and fire departments, pursuant to statute, and has the authority to allow and approve claims.

Seat(s) available: 1 • Appointed by: Mayor

CDBG Funding Citizens Advisory Committee — Reviews and recommends Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for various community development projects.

Seat(s) available: 6 • Appointed by: Mayor

Commission on Hispanic and Latiné Affairs — 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. 

Seat(s) available: 1 • Appointed by: Mayor

Commission on Sustainability — Promotes economic development, environmental health, and social equity initiatives.

Seat(s) available: 2 • Appointed by: Mayor

Commission on the Status of Children and Youth — Promotes connections that empower, enhance and nurture children and youth. The Commission will access resources and information to make recommendations to people and organizations with the authority to create and support systems that encourage the healthy development of children and youth.

Seat(s) available: 1 • Appointed by: Common Council 

Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission — Advises the Bloomington City Council on community perceptions of and preferences for public safety.

Seat(s) available: 1 • Appointed by: Common Council

Environmental Commission — Established in 1971, the Bloomington Environmental Commission (EC) is an advisory body composed of Bloomington citizens appointed by the Mayor and Common Council. The commission is to advise the City of Bloomington on how its actions and policies may preserve and enhance the quality of Bloomington’s environment, including the life-supporting processes that natural ecological systems provide to humans and other organisms. 

Seat(s) available: 3 • Appointed by: Mayor 

Fire Merit Commission — Establishes and/or administers policies based on merit for the appointment, promotion, demotion and dismissal of members of the fire department. 

Seat(s) available: 1 • Appointed by: Mayor 

Historic Preservation Commission — 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.

Seat(s) available: 3 • Appointed by: Mayor (1), Common Council (2, Advisory Seats. The Common Council appointment seats on this commission do not have voting privileges.)

Plan Commission — Works to improve the economic, physical, and social environment for Zone residents and businesses

Seat(s) available: 1 • Appointed by: Mayor

Transportation Commission — The Transportation Commission is a new commission that will make recommendations on relevant transportation and parking sections of the Bloomington Municipal Code, review all transportation-related projects, and propose policies that promote safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation and parking policies and decisions.  

Seat(s) available: 5 • Appointed by: Mayor (2), Common Council (3)

Urban Enterprise Association — The Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA) works to improve the economic, physical, and social environment for Zone residents and businesses

Seat(s) available: 1 • Appointed by: Common Council

After submitting an application, candidates must be appointed to the boards or commissions by either the Bloomington Common Council or Mayor Kerry Thomson. City residency is required for most, but not all, of the boards and commissions.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend a meeting of their board or commission of interest before applying. Meeting schedules for each body can be accessed online. All board and commission meetings are open to the public, allowing prospective members to gain a clear understanding of the work involved.

This notice is issued in accordance with Bloomington Municipal Code 2.02.020.

For more information on current vacancies or to apply, visit bloomington.in.gov/onboard/committees.