
Many municipalities struggle to keep their chairs filled.
Did you know that many cities have a “Tree Commission”?
It’s responsible for overseeing the city’s urban forest, including street trees, park trees, and other public trees. They work on planting, pruning, and caring for the trees, on top of creating a tree inventory and a management plan. Some Tree Commissions also work on creating educational programs and events to promote the benefits of urban forestries, such as tree planting days, educational walks, and annual Arbor Day celebrations.
Among the Tree Commission are many other local government boards and committees, and in this article, you’ll learn more about them.
The importance of local government boards and committees
Before we dive into the different types of local government boards and committees, I want to explain their importance.
Boards and committees play a crucial role in local government by providing a platform for community members to participate in the decision-making process. These groups are typically composed of volunteers appointed by elected officials and are responsible for providing advice on a wide range of issues.
A primary function of boards and committees is to provide oversight and review of specific areas of local government. For example, a planning commission may review and make recommendations on land use and development plans, while a board of health may be responsible for protecting and promoting public health in the community. This allows community members with specific expertise or interests to speak on issues that are important to them.
Boards and committees provide an important link between local government and the community. Community members can participate in meetings, provide input, and make recommendations on important issues. This allows local government to be more responsive to the needs and concerns of the community.
Another reason boards and committees are important is that they can help increase transparency and accountability in local government. Meetings are typically open to the public, and meeting agendas and minutes are often available for review on a website or at the municipal building. This allows community members to stay informed about the activities and decisions of local government and hold elected officials accountable for their actions.
So what did we learn about local government boards and committees? They’re an essential part of local government. They provide a platform for community participation, promote transparency and accountability, and help to ensure that local government is responsive to the needs and concerns of the community. And now that we understand why they function, let’s talk about some of the different types.
Different types of local government boards and committees
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is a local government board responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on land use and development plans, such as zoning changes, subdivisions, and comprehensive plans.
Board of Zoning Appeals
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is responsible for hearing and deciding on appeals of zoning decisions, variances, and special exceptions made by the zoning administrator. It also reviews and makes decisions on requests for zoning interpretations.
School Board
The local government school board is responsible for overseeing the operation of public schools in the area, including setting policy, budget, and curriculum. They also hire and evaluate the district superintendent.
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Parks and Recreation Commission is responsible for planning and managing public parks and recreation facilities. This includes sports fields, playgrounds, and community centers.
Board of Health
The Board of Health protects and promotes public health in the community through monitoring, educating, and enforcing health regulations, laws, and policies. They also work on providing health education, disease prevention, and response to public health emergencies.
Economic Development Commission
The Economic Development Commission promotes economic growth and development in the area by attracting new businesses, supporting existing businesses, and helping create jobs, while also increasing the tax base. They work on developing and implementing economic development strategies, programs and policies.
Library Board
The Library Board oversees the operation of public libraries, setting policy, approving the budget, and providing direction for the library staff. They also work on ensuring the library services meet the community’s needs.
Housing Authority
The Housing Authority is responsible for providing affordable housing options to low-income residents through the management of public housing, vouchers, and other programs.
Transportation Commission
The Transportation Commission is a local government board responsible for planning and managing transportation infrastructure and services in the area. This includes public transit, roads, bridges, and bike lanes.
Public Safety Commission
The Public Safety Commission promotes public safety and oversees the operations of local police and fire departments, by setting policies, reviewing budgets, and providing advice to the city council.
Meeting videos and agendas for local government boards and committees
Meeting videos and agendas are important tools for local government boards and committees as they help keep the community informed about the activities and decisions of these groups.
Meeting videos typically capture the full proceedings of a board or committee meeting, including any presentations, public comments, and discussions among members. These videos can be made available to the public on the local government website or through a streaming service like YouTube. By providing access to meeting videos, the community can stay informed about the activities of their local government and also hold elected officials accountable for their actions.
Agendas, on the other hand, are typically published in advance of a meeting and outline the topics that will be discussed and the actions that will be taken. These agendas can be found on the local government website, and help the community know what issues will be discussed in upcoming meetings and how they can provide input or feedback.
In addition to providing information about what will be discussed, agendas also include the date, time, and location of the meeting. Any relevant background information or documents that will be discussed are also included. This information can help the community prepare for the meeting and provide meaningful input.
Local government boards and committees can continue to use meeting video and agenda software as they increase transparency and accountability. This will give the community an opportunity to stay informed and involved in the decision-making process of their local government.
We thought you might also like:
- Utilizing Meeting Minutes Software In Local Government
- Government Technology
- CivicClerk: A CivicPlus Local Government Boards and Committees Software Tool
- Interview: Jennifer Nanek – City Clerk – Lake Wales, Florida