KTVZ
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Community committees, boards and commissions are a great way to get involved with local government. The City of Bend has openings on several Council-appointed advisory groups that make recommendations to City Council or City administrative staff.
Applications are being accepted for the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Budget Committee, Core Area Advisory Board, Human Rights and Equity Commission, Landmarks Commission, and Planning Commission.
Advisory body members are eligible for a stipend ($40/meeting, not to exceed $500/year) to help lower barriers to participation (See information below).
Applications are due on October 31, 2025, by 5 p.m.
Visit bendoregon.gov/committees to learn more and to apply.
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) provides policy, code and funding recommendations to the City Council in alignment with the goals outlined in the City’s Consolidated Plan. AHAC is recruiting three members, one at-large representative (partial term ending 1/1/2028), one affordable housing developer representative (partial term ending 7/1/2026), and one representative from the Central Oregon Builder Association (full three-year term, ending 1/1/2029). Members appointed to partial terms may seek reappointment for up to two consecutive three-year terms, not including any partial terms. For more information, visit the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee webpage.
Contact: Racheal Baker, Affordable Housing Manager, 541-323-8550 or rbaker@bendoregon.gov.
Budget Committee
The Budget Committee receives the City Manager’s proposed biennial budget and budget message, which explains the proposed budget and significant changes in the City’s financial position. The Budget Committee may make additions or changes to the proposed budget, at which time the committee will approve the document and forward it to the City Council for adoption. The Budget Committee also approves a rate of total ad valorem property taxes to be certified for collection. For more information, visit the Budget Committee webpage.
The Budget Committee is seeking applicants to fill one vacancy for a four-year term.
Contact: Dan Quick, Budget & Financial Planning Manager, 541-330-4005 or dquick@bendoregon.gov.
Core Area Advisory Board
The Core Area Advisory Board oversees the implementation of the Core Area Tax Increment Finance Plan and actions that support development in the Core Area, including oversight of the $195 million of maximum debt that can be issued to invest in projects in the area. The plan identifies a variety of projects and a funding source (tax increment) to invest in the area over the next 30 years as it transforms into an urban, mixed-use area where people can live, work, and play. For more information, visit the Core Area Advisory Board webpage.
The Core Area Advisory Board is seeking applicants to fill one vacancy for a partial term ending 1/1/2027. Please review the membership representation requirements.
Contact: Jonathan Taylor, Urban Renewal Project Manager, 541-322-6332 orjtaylor@bendoregon.gov.
Human Rights & Equity Commission
The primary goal of the City of Bend Human Rights and Equity Commission (HREC) is to advise the City Council on policies and practices that impact equity, human rights and inclusion within the community. The Commission works to identify barriers to equity and to recommend strategies for dismantling those barriers. The Human Rights and Equity Commission strives to create systemic change that benefits the entire community by centering the voices of those most impacted by inequity. For more information, visit the Human Rights and Equity Commission webpage.
The Human Rights and Equity Commission is seeking applicants to fill one vacancy for a partial term ending 1/1/2028.
Contact: Katherina Barguil, Community Relations Manager, 541-323-5992 or kbarguil@bendoregon.gov
Landmarks Commission
Candidates for the Landmarks Commission are required to be a community member residing within the Bend Urban Growth Boundary with an interest in architecture, history, architectural history, planning, prehistoric and historic archaeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, conservation, landscape architecture or related disciplines. For more information, visit the Landmarks Commission webpage.
The City is inviting interested community members to attend one of the regular monthly Landmarks Commission meetings to learn more about serving on the commission. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at City Hall. Please check the City of Bend calendar for details.
The Landmarks Commission is seeking candidates to fill a partial alternate term (ending January 1, 2028). Alternates for this commission play an active role and may take part in any deliberation. Alternates may be counted as part of the quorum and may vote if their participation is necessary to make a quorum. Please note, alternates are not eligible for the stipend program.
Contact: Heidi Kennedy, Senior Planner, 541-617-4524 or hkennedy@bendoregon.gov.
Planning Commission
This group is the appointed citizen body that provides recommendations to the City Council on land use policies and development standards, makes land use decisions on certain planning applications, and provides a public forum for community values, visioning, and strategic thinking in long-range planning. For more information, visit the Planning Commission webpage.
The Planning Commission is seeking applicants to fill one vacancy for a four-year term.
Contact: Renee Brooke, Planning Manager, 541-330-4008, rbrooke@bendoregon.gov.
Stipends
The City of Bend offers a stipend program for City advisory board, committee and commission voting members who choose to participate. The intent is to expand opportunities for community members to connect with the City and lower barriers to engagement. The program will provide members of City advisory boards, committees and commissions with a stipend of $40 per meeting, not to exceed $500 per person annually. This stipend covers assumed costs of volunteering on an advisory group such as travel, parking, stable internet connection and other expenses. Please note, non-voting members, alternate members, and Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization Budget Committee members are not eligible for the stipend. View the Advisory Body Stipend Program Policy for additional information.
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