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:

Bloomington Arts Commission – Provides a means for the City of Bloomington to stimulate and promote community appreciation for and participation in the arts.

• Seat(s) available: 2 • Appointed by: Mayor (1), Common Council (1) 
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident

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: 1 • Appointed by: Common Council 
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident

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
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident

Commission on Hispanic and Latiné Affairs – Works to identify and research the issues that 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: Common Council (Advisory Seat. These seats do not have voting privileges) 
• Eligibility Requirements: Can be either a City of Bloomington or Monroe County resident

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 
• Eligibility Requirements: Can be either a City of Bloomington or Monroe County resident 

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
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident

Environmental Commission – Advises 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: 2 • Appointed by: Mayor 
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident

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
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Each commissioner must have been a City of Bloomington resident for three (3) consecutive years immediately preceding their term
  • A commissioner must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age
  • A commissioner may not be an active member of a police or fire department or agency
  • No more than two (2) of the commissioners may be past members of a police or fire department or agency
  • A commissioner may not receive any remuneration as a salary from a police or fire department or agency

 Historic Preservation Commission – Ensures the historic preservation of and design-conscious development in Bloomington's historic neighborhoods and buildings.

• 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.)
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident 

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: 2 • Appointed by: Mayor (1), Common Council (1)
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident 

Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA) – Works to improve the economic, physical, and social environment for BUEA Zone residents and businesses. The BUEA Zone is an area north, west, and south of Downtown whose residents and businesses are eligible for scholarships, arts and business grants, and tax incentives.

• Seat(s) available: 1 • Appointed by: Common Council
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a Zone Resident, and of a differing political party than the other appointed zone resident

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 at bloomington.in.gov/public-meetings. 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.