BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington invites residents to apply for positions on multiple boards and commissions. These service opportunities will enable members of the public to participate directly in city government initiatives and policymaking processes. Positions are currently available as follows:
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
- 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 Sustainability – Promotes economic development and environmental health in the community.
- Seat(s) available: 1 • 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: 1 • Appointed by: Common Council
- Eligibility Requirements: Can 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: 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 (1), Common Council (1)
- 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: 3 • Appointed by: Mayor (2), Common Council (1, Advisory Seat) (The Common Council appointment seats on this commission do not have voting privileges.)
- Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident
Jack Hopkins Social Services Committee – Named in honor of former Councilmember Jack Hopkins, this committee evaluates applications and makes funding recommendations that enhance the lives of city residents.
Seat(s) available: 3 • Recommended by: The committee chair will make resident appointment recommendations to the Common Council
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 be a City of Bloomington, Monroe County, or Town of Ellettsville resident
Transportation Commission – Makes recommendations on relevant transportation and parking sections of the Bloomington Municipal Code, reviews all transportation-related projects, and proposes policies that promote safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation and parking policies and decisions.
- Seat(s) available: 1 • Appointed by: Mayor
- Eligibility Requirements: Must be a City of Bloomington resident. Affiliation with Monroe County Community School Corporation is preferred but not required.
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 from the other appointed zone resident
Term Expirations in January
Several terms on various boards and commissions are set to expire in January, opening exciting opportunities for individuals interested in contributing to their community.
Boards or Commissions with Seat Terms Expiring January 31, 2026, include:
- Animal Control Commission
- Bloomington Arts Commission
- Bloomington Digital Underground Advisory Committee
- Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission
- Board of Housing Quality Appeals
- Capital Improvement Board
- Commission on Aging
- Commission on Hispanic and Latiné Affairs
- Commission on Sustainability
- Commission on the Status of Women
- Commission on the Status of Black Males
- Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission
- Environmental Commission
- Housing Authority Board
- Tree Commission
- Urban Enterprise Association
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.
