Click here to skip to main content.
scenic picture from Washington state
SUBJECTS › GOVERNANCE › Boards and Commissions

Updated 12/07

Boards and Commissions

Contents

About Boards and Commissions

Cities and counties appoint citizen boards, commissions, task forces, and committees to advise their legislative bodies on a wide range of policy issues. Some of these boards are designated by statute for a specific purpose, such as a building code board of appeals.    Other boards and commissions may be authorized by statute, but it is left up to the discretion of the local governing body whether to create an advisory board or commission. The membership of the board may, or may not, be designated by statute. Cities and counties have also created permanent or "standing" advisory committees by ordinance.  One example is a design review board. Other boards created may be of a more temporary nature or "ad hoc" to focus on a specific issue facing the city or county.

The use of of boards and commissions may provide advantages such as providing an in-depth examination of issues or a communication channel between elected officials and the community, bringing a broad range of ideas and expertise to public decision making, assisting in the resolution of conflicts, and providing training for new leaders. For additional discussion providing an overview, see Cooperative Achievement Elected Officials and Advisory Boards Work Together to Strengthen Their Cities, by Marilyn Crotty, Quality Cities, Florida League of Cities, March/April 2004.

Statutes Related to Boards and Commissions

Roles and Expectations of Boards and Commissions - Goal, Mission, Objective

General Policies and Code Provisions on Advisory Boards and Commissions

Procedures - Orientation Manuals

Review and Evaluation of Boards and Commissions

Description of Boards and Commissions - Links to Web Pages Illustrating Purpose, Terms, Qualifications, Applications

Additional Reference Sources

  • Effective Communication and Citizen Involvement - MRSC 
  • Comprehensive Citizen Involvement/Public Relations Programs - MRSC
  • Portland Metro Public Involvement Planning Guide ( 213 KB)
  • Items Available from MRSC Library  Library Loan Request Form
    • "Citizen Advisory Boards: Making Them Effective," MIS Report, ICMA, vol. 19, no. 10, October 1987
    • “Citizen Advisory Boards and Committees,” Ch. 3 in  Elected Officials Handbooks, 3rd ed. Handbook 2, Building a Policy-Making Team, ICMA, 1988
    • “CP Technique No. 2: Using Advisory Committees,” from Citizen Participation Handbook for Public Officials and Other Professionals Serving the Public, Institute for Participatory Management and Planning, 2000
    • “Establishing Effective Citizens’ Advisory Committees,” MIS Report, ICMA, vol. 28, no. 2, February 1996
    • Making Citizen Task Forces Work: Eight Strategies to Consider," by Steven Falk, Public Management, December 1993
    • “Working with Advisory Groups,” Ch. 12 in  The Public Participation Handbook: Making Better Decisions through Citizen Involvement, James L. Creighton, Jossey-Bass, 2005