City asking for board, commission volunteers

The city is asking for volunteers to serve on several of its boards and commissions, due to a number of open seats.

A gap has formed between the number of qualified applicants and the number of open seats, according to an Oct. 8 news release.

Volunteer seats are available on the Planning & Zoning Commission, the Personnel Board, the Public Building Corporation, the Public Housing Authority and the Industrial Development Authority.

Volunteering in these positions is a chance to give back to the Springfield community, City Clerk Brenda Cirtin said.

"It's an opportunity to get involved in local government on the ground floor," she said.

Cirtin said she didn't have an exact count of the number of positions available but said there are several openings on several boards. The boards and commissions listed above are in the most immediate need for volunteers.

Terms typically range from one to three years, the release said.

Time commitment depends on the committee - some committees meet quarterly, while others meet monthly or more often, Cirtin said.

Online applications, an ethics handbook and other information can be found on the city's Web site. In-person applications can be submitted to the city clerk's office on the fourth floor of the Busch Building, 840 Boonville Ave., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.

In most cases, City Council finalizes applications after a review by its Public Involvement Committee.

The committee determines which applicants are the best fit for positions on boards and committees, Cirtin said.

Due to terms ending, term limits and resignations, the city is expecting more than 40 openings in 2011, the release said.

Currently, there are more than 240 volunteers on 30 standing boards and commissions.[[In-content Ad]]