Bloomington, Indiana – Bloomington residents do not have to run for office to get a seat at the table in city government. Right now, the city is looking for volunteers to help shape decisions involving everything from public safety and transportation to trees, historic buildings, housing and the arts.
The opportunity is sizable. Across 14 boards and commissions with fixed vacancies, Bloomington is advertising 29 available seats, while the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Citizens Advisory Committee has no set limit on membership.
Some of the largest openings are on bodies dealing with environmental and community issues. The Environmental Commission has five seats available, including three mayoral appointments and two council appointments. The Historic Preservation Commission has four vacancies, although the three Common Council-appointed positions are advisory seats without voting privileges.
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Three seats are open on the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability and Resilience, all appointed by the mayor. Another three positions are available on the Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission, which advises the City Council about community views and preferences concerning public safety.
Other openings touch everyday city life. The CDBG Funding Citizens Advisory Committee has two seats and reviews recommendations for federal community development funding. The Tree Commission also has two vacancies, while single seats are available on the Bloomington Arts Commission, Environmental Resources Advisory Council, Housing Authority Board, Public Transportation Corporation Board of Directors and Utilities Service Board.
Eligibility varies. Most positions require applicants to live within Bloomington, but some are also open to Monroe County residents. The Metropolitan Planning Organization committee is broader still, allowing residents of Bloomington, Monroe County or the Town of Ellettsville to participate. Prospective MPO members must complete a form through staff and attend three consecutive meetings before becoming members.
Applications alone do not guarantee a seat. Depending on the commission, appointments are made by Mayor Kerry Thomson, the Bloomington Common Council or another designated city body. The city’s current notice identifies Thomson as mayor, consistent with Bloomington’s 2026 city organizational materials.
Residents considering an application are encouraged to first attend a meeting of the board or commission that interests them. Meeting dates are available at bloomington.in.gov/public-meetings, and meetings are open to the public.
Current vacancies and application information can be found at bloomington.in.gov/onboard/committees. The vacancy notice is issued under Bloomington Municipal Code 2.02.020.
