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

Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission – The Human Rights Commission is designed to enforce Bloomington’s Human Rights Ordinance in a fair and timely manner, to educate community members about their rights and responsibilities under various civil rights laws, to raise awareness on all human rights issues, to ensure that contractors and subcontractors on city jobs pay employees applicable common wages, to ensure that the City, as an employer, governmental entity and provider of public accommodations, complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and to provide the community with information about the ADA. 

• Seat(s) available: 1 • Appointed by: Mayor 
• 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 conduct investigations relative to appeals and may overrule the decisions of any administrative officer, including the neighborhood development division. 

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

Board of Public Safety – The Board of Public Safety shall have control and oversee the police and fire department of the city pursuant to statute and shall have the authority to allow and approve claims. 

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

Commission on Aging – Serves as a catalyst to elevate awareness of the senior community, actively promote solutions to their challenges, and celebrate their vital contributions.

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

Commission on Sustainability – Promotes economic development and environmental health in the community. 

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

Commission on the Status of Women – The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women explores women's issues and concerns, celebrates women's accomplishments, and promotes solutions to the problems and challenges faced by women.

• Seat(s) available: 2 • Appointed by: Mayor
• Eligibility Requirements: Can either be 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: 3 • Appointed by: Common Council
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission – To promote and honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and legacy in our community that supports programs to commemorate the federal holiday, including the community-wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration and volunteer service day initiatives. 

• Seat(s) available: 1 • Appointed by: Mayor
• Eligibility Requirements: Can either be a City of Bloomington or Monroe County 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: 4 • Appointed by: Mayor (3), Common Council (1)
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident

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 the city’s 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.

• Seat(s) available: 2 • Appointed by: Board of Park Commissioners
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident

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

• Seat(s) available: 2 • Appointed by: Common Council - Advisory Seats (The Common Council appointment seats on this commission do not have voting privileges.)
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident 

MPO Citizen Advisory Committee – The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a volunteer group of community representatives. The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) offers input on transportation planning to the Policy Committee and helps raise awareness of transportation policies.

• Seat(s) available: OPEN (There are no seat limits for this committee) • Individuals who wish to become members must complete a form from the MPO staff and attend three consecutive meetings.
• Eligibility Requirements: Can either be a City of Bloomington, Monroe County, or Town of Ellettsville resident

Tree Commission – Assists the City Landscaper (Urban Forester) with urban forestry, implementing policies and procedures, and promoting public education on tree care.

• Seat(s) available: 2 • Appointed by: Environmental Commission (1), Board of Public Works
• 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: 3 • Appointed by: Mayor (1) Common Council (2)
• Eligibility Requirements: Must be a Zone Resident and of a differing political party from the other appointed zone resident

Utilities Service Board – Has oversight of the Utilities Department and coordinates its operations in accordance with city policies.  

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