City of Bloomington Seeks Residents to Serve on Boards and Commissions

The City of Bloomington seeks residents to fill vacancies on multiple boards and commissions. These positions provide community members with the opportunity to contribute directly to the city’s policy-making processes and initiatives.

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: Common Council 

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: 1 • Appointed by: Mayor

CDBG Funding Citizens Advisory Committee — This is the public body that reviews and recommends Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funding for a variety of community 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 (Advisory Seat) • Appointed by: Common Council

Commission on Sustainability — Promotes economic development, environmental health, and social equity in our community for present and future generations.
Seat(s) available: 2 • Appointed by: Mayor

Commission on the Status of Children and Youth -- The purpose of the Commission shall be to promote connections in our community which empower, enhance and nurture children and youth. The Commission will access resources and information to make recommendations to people and organizations with authority to create and support systems that encourage healthy development of children and youth.
Seat(s) available: 2 • Appointed by: Common Council 

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: 1 • Appointed by: Common Council 

Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission — Advises the Bloomington Common Council on perceptions and preferences about public safety from community members.
Seat(s) available: 4 • Appointed by: Common Council

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

Environmental Commission — 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.
Seat(s) available: 3 • Appointed by: Mayor 

Fire Merit Commission — The Fire Merit Commission establishes 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)

Housing Quality Appeals Board — The purpose of this board is to hear the appeal of any person who is 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)

Transportation Commission (NEW 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.