City Shares Organizational Assessment of Appointed Boards and Commissions

Bloomington, IN–The City of Bloomington released an organizational assessment report of its appointed boards and commissions today. Last year, Mayor John Hamilton directed that an independent, third-party assessment of the board and commission structure be undertaken to review and assess their scope, structure, and required resources. The recommendations in the report are intended to build upon the boards and commissions’ many existing contributions and enhance the City’s community-focused approach to decision-making and operations. 

The report also provides a framework for the City to maximize the efficacy of its existing boards and commissions and evaluate the creation of potential new boards and commissions in the future. In order to be successful, these recommendations will require planned, thoughtful implementation. The report offers more details on these ten recommendations:

Board and Commission Structure: 

1. Merge the Commission on Sustainability and the Environmental Commission. 
2. Merge the Parking Commission, Traffic Commission, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission. 
3. Consolidate park, recreation, and urban forestry-related commissions under the Board of Park Commissioners. 

Strategic Focus of Boards and Commissions: 

1. Evaluate the business case for any potential new board or commission before its creation.
2. Require a brief annual report to the Mayor and City Council from each board and commission to ensure the work aligns with the City goals. 

Communication and Transparency:  

1. Require all boards and commissions to record audio or video of their meetings and publish meeting materials to the City website in a timely manner.  
2. Establish a formal, transparent application process for boards and commissions that includes regular communication with applicants. 

Training and Onboarding:

1. Develop a formal onboarding program for new board and commission members. 
2. 9 Define the role of staff liaisons to boards and commissions and develop a formal onboarding program. 
3. Assign oversight of the board and commission process to a designated position.

The City contracted with Novak Consulting Group to conduct the assessment last year, following similar assessments of ten other City departments. The report will be presented to the City Council for consideration tonight at their 6:30 p.m. meeting. The report can be found online at https://bton.in/haC39. 

“We are constantly seeking ways to improve the way we function as a city. It makes good sense to examine our board and commission structure in an effort to maximize their effectiveness, efficiency, and the experience for those residents sharing their time and wisdom by participating in their missions,” stated Mayor John Hamilton.