Apply by Jan. 31 for city advisory groups

from Eugene City Council and staff reports

Eugene residents looking to exercise small-d democratic self-governance can apply now for positions on city advisory committees, boards, and commissions.

There are 37 openings across 11 boards and commissions for terms beginning July 1, 2025.

Members of boards and commissions provide an invaluable service to Eugene by advising the City Council and city staff on a wide variety of subjects, making recommendations on important policy matters.

The reports, detailed studies, and advice provided by boards and commissions are considered by City Council and often inspire innovative and improved services within the city of Eugene. For example, former Councilor Pat Farr spoke very highly Jan. 7 of the combined Eugene, Springfield, Lane County Housing Policy Board, saying under John VanLandingham and Norton Cabell the board “really drove a lot of decision-making.”

Community involvement in the boards, commissions and committees plays a vital role in facilitating the continued work to meet the Eugene City Council’s strategic plan goals to engage with and strengthen relationships with the whole community, including our most marginalized groups, and to cultivate a community where we all feel included, respected, and valued as we are.

There are 23 openings on the eight groups that advise the Eugene City Council (one fewer than last year):

• Budget Committee (3 openings, same as last year)
• Civilian Review Board (3 openings, 1 more than last year)
• Historic Review Board (2 openings, same as last year)
• Human Rights Commission (4 openings, 1 more than last year)
• Planning Commission (2 openings, 1 more than last year)
• Police Commission (2 openings, 4 fewer than last year)
• Sustainability Commission (4 openings, 3 more than last year)
• Toxics Board (3 openings, 3 fewer than last year)

There are also 14 openings on three other groups that advise city departments (10 more than last year):

• Envision Eugene Technical Advisory Committee (5 openings, 4 more than last year)
• Library Board (4 openings, 4 more than last year)
• Whilamut Natural Area Citizen Planning Committee (5 openings, 2 more than last year)

Applications for open positions will be accepted through the City of Eugene Boards and Commissions application page through the end of the day on Jan. 31, 2025.

The 37 openings in 2025 represents nine more openings than last year, when 24 applicants were selected to fill 28 open positions across 10 groups: 2024 Budget Committee (3 openings); 2024 Civilian Review Board (2 openings); 2024 Envision Eugene Technical Advisory Committee (1 opening); 2024 Historic Review Board (2 opening); 2024 Human Rights Commission (3 openings); 2024 Planning Commission (1 opening); 2024 Police Commission (6 openings); 2024 Sustainability Commission (1 opening); 2024 Toxics Board (6 openings); and 2024 Whilamut Citizen Planning Committee (3 openings).

The 24 appointees were selected to start their July 1, 2024 terms during a council vote June 10, 2024.

For more, see the Boards and Commissions webpage.