Help shape Asheville by serving on a City board or commission

People in meeting

Looking for a way to get involved in local government and play a part in shaping the future of Asheville? Serving on a City of Asheville board or commission is a great place to start. More than 250 people serve on 35 advisory boards and help guide policy decisions for the City of Asheville. Put your perspective, leadership and knowledge to work by serving on one of many City advisory committees.

Currently there are openings on seven committees or boards.

For an application form, please visit of City’s Boards and Commissions webpage or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 828-259-5839 or sterwilliger@ashevillenc.gov.

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Oct. 1, unless otherwise noted.

BOARD OF ELECTRICAL EXAMINERS — ​The current vacancy is for an electrical layman. Please indicate on application​. ​The members of the Board examine applicants for licenses for the transaction of other related business.

CITIZENS-POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE — This vacancy must be a Housing Authority property resident. Please indicate residence on application form​. Duties include, but are not limited to: (1) serving as liaison between the police and community over concern; (2) to mediate problems or conflicts; (3) to serve as an advocate for programs, ideas, and methods to improve the relationship between the police and the community; and (4) to disseminate information to the community and to the government officials in Asheville.

CIVIL SERVICE BOARD​The deadline for this opening is 5 p.m. Sept. 18. ​The Civil Service Board works with the Human Resources Department to resolve employee grievances on an as needed basis and meets on a periodic basis to discuss personnel administration issues. The vacant seat is elected by employees of the City of Asheville who are members of the Classified Service. Candidates for membership on the Civil Service Board must be “qualified voters of the City and not employed by the City.” Applicants should submit: 1) Boards and Commissions Application; 2) Qualified Candidate Checklist; and 3) letter of intent. Please visit the Civil Service Board webpage, or contact Sarah Terwilliger at STerwilliger@ashevillenc.gov for an application form.

GREENWAY COMMITTEE​ — This vacancy is open until filled. ​The committee functions as an advisory board to the Multimodal Transportation Commission and City staff on implementation of a system of greenways within Asheville. The Committee works to integrate City and County parks and transportation plans while educating and engaging the public and advocating for funding. The Greenway Committee consists of at least seven members and up to eleven members. All are appointed by the Multimodal Transportation Commission. The term of office is three years. Please visit the Greenway Committee webpage, or contact Lucy Crown, at LCrown@ashevillenc.gov for a Greenway Committee application form.

NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE — ​The current vacancy is for a representative that resides in the 28806 or 28728 zip code; please indicate zip code on application. The committee was established to advise the City Council on neighborhoods within the City of Asheville’s zoning and planning jurisdiction. The committee shall have the following powers and duties: (1) Develop rules and by-laws for the conduct of its business, including but not limited to meeting schedules, officers, voting, sub-committees; (2) Develop a plan to strengthen neighborhood identity and resilience, and to facilitate communication and cooperation between Asheville’s neighborhoods and City offices; (3) Develop benchmarks and standards by which progress towards implementing the plan can be measured; and (4) Work on special projects that are consistent with the goals of the committee, as assigned or directed by Council.

PUBLIC ART AND CULTURAL COMMISSION — ​The commission is responsible for promoting and maintaining art displays in public buildings and public spaces in the City of Asheville. In addition the commission (1) facilitates public art in public buildings and public spaces; (2) engages the creative sector as a major attraction for artists, cultural tourism and economic development; (3) encourages public confidence for and appreciation of the arts in Asheville; (4) works to build partnerships and collaborations throughout Asheville’s creative community; and (5) aids in strengthening the organizational structure of public and cultural arts delivery. The Public Art and Cultural Commission shall follow its Public Art Policy and Implementation Guidelines as modified and/or amended every five years; and (6) recommends to City Council the acceptance of works of art.

TRANSIT COMMITTEEThis vacancy is open until filled. ​The committee functions as an advisory board to the Multimodal Transportation Commission and to the City staff on matters affecting the transit system and its operation. The Transit Committee consists of at least seven members and up to eleven members. All are appointed by the Multimodal Transportation Commission. The terms of office are three years. The Asheville Transit Committee will meet the first Tuesday of every month from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. Please visit the Transit Committee webpage, or contact Transit Planning Manager, Elias Mathes at EMathes@ashevillenc.gov for an application form.

For more information, please visit of City’s Boards and Commissions webpage or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 828-259-5839 or sterwilliger@ashevillenc.gov.