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Board and Commission Descriptions

Get involved with your community. More than 250 citizens serve on these boards. They offer citizen input and review City programs. They even make recommendations to the City Commission. Learn more about each City board and commission below.

Serving on Boards and Commissions

Our boards and commissions address a lot of issues in Grand Rapids. From historic preservation to commercial development to environmental protection. You can read about what it's like to serve on a board. Download the Board Member Handbook.

Board Diversity

We make every effort to represent all of Grand Rapids' 3 wards. We also do our best to assemble boards that reflect the racial, ethnic, and gender of our community. We're working to promote racial equity in all that we do here. You can see a sample Racial Equity Toolkit from the Government Alliance on Race and Equity website.

Affordable Housing Fund Board

Interested in affordable housing? This board might be for you!

Art Advisory Committee

The Art Advisory Committee gives recommendations to the City Manager on if donated art, murals, and street art should be accepted by the City.

Board of Art and Museum Commissioners

Interested in social, cultural, or natural history? This board manages the public museum's property and assets.

Board of Review (Assessor)

Are you knowledgeable of taxation and property values? This board examines property assessment rolls. They also hold hearings for assessment appeals.

Board of Zoning Appeals

Are you knowledgeable about real estate, land use, and related laws? This board makes decisions on requests to deviate from Zoning Ordinance requirements. Examples might include exceptions for heights of buildings, setbacks from property lines, and land uses.

Brownfield Redevelopment Authority

The Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) helps redevelop blighted or contaminated properties.

City Planning Commission

The Planning Commission administers the City's Zoning Ordinance to review development proposals. They also review and recommend ordinance text or zoning map changes to the City Commission.

City/County Building Authority

Are you interested in operating and maintaining public buildings, parking lots, and recreational facilities? Consider becoming a member of the City County Building Authority.

Civil Service Board

Are you interested in government hiring policies and procedures? The Civil Service Board reviews the City's hiring standards. This board also oversees and enforces Civil Service testing policies.

Community Relations Commission

Are you passionate about advocating for equal treatment for all Grand Rapids citizens? This is the commission for you. This board has a variety of responsibilities all relating to the protection of civil rights.

Construction Code Board of Appeals

Are you a licensed mechanical contractor, master electrician or plumber? Interested in being a part of the appeals process for building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing codes? This is the board for you. This board hears appeals regarding rules and regulations of Construction codes for buildings in the City of Grand Rapids.

Current Openings

See currently open seats on City boards and commissions. Download the vacancy list.

Downtown Development Authority

Interested in helping downtown Grand Rapids grow and prosper? The Downtown Development Authority works to make sure downtown is a great place to live, work, and play.

Downtown Improvement District (DID)

Interested in attracting businesses to the downtown area? This board works to attract businesses and economic activity to our city's downtown area.

Economic Development Corporation

Are you interested in helping the Grand Rapids economy grow? This board helps businesses locate or expand in our city.

General Retirement System Board of Trustees

This board supervises and manages the general administration of the City's non-uniformed retirement system.

Grand Rapids Building Authority

Are you interested in being a part of allocating funds to construct and maintain City-owned facilities? You're in the right place. This board has the power to finance and operate public buildings.

Grand Rapids Historical Commission

Are you a history buff who is knowledgeable of local history? Would you like to help collect and compile historical data for the City of Grand Rapids? This is the board for you. This board collects historical data and materials, both past and current, for the City of Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids Housing Commission

Are you interested in keeping Grand Rapids' housing affordable and in good shape? This board manages our city's public housing. It also makes sure Grand Rapids' housing is in good condition.

Grand Rapids Police Civilian Appeal Board

This Board is designed to review and potentially appeal decisions made by the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) regarding civilian accusations of police misconduct including but not limited to use of excessive force, falsification, civil rights violations, and hostility.

Historic Preservation Commission

Interested in preserving Grand Rapids historic neighborhoods? This commission reviews applications for renovations of structures within any of Grand Rapids' six historic districts.

Housing Appeal Board

Are you knowledgeable of Code Compliance? Are you physically able to preform inspections on buildings? Consider being a member of this board. This board holds hearings and make decisions on appeals on Code Compliance.

Income Tax Board of Review

Are you an attorney, an accountant, or Grand Rapids' citizen who is knowledgeable of income taxation? This may be the board for you. This board hears and decides appeals of income tax assessments and rulings.

Interurban Transit Partnership Board

This board is the organization that is responsible for The Rapid and all of its transportation services in the Grand Rapids area.

Kent County Board of Public Works

This board provides solid waste management services to Kent County.

Kent County Community Action Governing Board

This board brings together representatives from three sectors: consumer, public, and private. The board focuses on a the areas of greatest local need.

Kent Hospital Finance Authority

This board provides nonprofit hospitals and nonprofit health care providers with the ability to finance, refinance, and refund indebtedness related to hospital facilities.

Local Officers Compensation Commission

This board determines the salaries of the Mayor, City Commissioners, and Comptroller.

Michigan Street Corridor Improvement Authority

Do you live on the northeast side? Are you interested in being a part of developing Michigan Street? You're in the right place. This board proposes plans for development of the Michigan Street Corridor.

Mobile GR Commission

Are you passionate about transportation and mobility? This commission gives advice to the City Commission board on mobility and parking services.

Monroe North Tax Increment Finance Authority

Interested in helping develop the North Monroe area? This authority looks at economic conditions in the area and works to promote further growth.

North Quarter Corridor Improvement Authority

Are you interested in development in the North Quarter Corridor? This board proposes development plans for GR's north side.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Are you interested in Parks and Recreation Department? This board gives advice to the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department.

Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees

Are you interested in retirement investment? This board manages the retirement plans of the City's police officers and fire fighters.

Public Safety Committee

Are you passionate about making sure Grand Rapids is a safe place for everyone? This committee makes recommendations to the City on public safety issues.

SmartZone Local Development Finance Authority

Are you looking to help grow Grand Rapids' high-tech industries? This board provides support to high-tech entrepreneurs and businesses.

South Division-Grandville Corridor Improvement Authority

The South Division-Grandville CIA works to revitalize the commercial and mixed used business corridors within its boundaries.

Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority

Are you interested in economic development projects? This board proposes economic growth plans for the Southtown area.

Stormwater Oversight Commission

Are you knowledgeable of how stormwater systems operate? This board reviews the current state of the City's stormwater system. It also makes recommendations to the City manager and commission.

Uptown Business Improvement District

Do you own a business or property within one of the recognized business districts of the Uptown area? This board prepares marketing and development plans for the area to the City.

Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority

Are you interested in guiding the development of the Uptown Corridor? This board proposes development plans for economic growth in GR's Uptown district.

Urban Agriculture Committee

Are you passionate about growing, processing, and distributing food in Grand Rapids? This committee helps spread the word about urban agriculture in our city.

Urban Forestry Committee

Do you have expertise in forestry? This committee oversees the overall health of urban forestry in Grand Rapids.

Vital Streets Oversight Commission

Are you interested in streets and public transportation? This board guides public investment into the quality of GR's infrastructure. Help us create healthy places, a vibrant economy, and safety and access for all.

Water System Advisory Council

The Water Advisory Council focus is to inform GR residents about the negative effects of lead in drinking water and the city's effort to address emerging water quality issues.

West Michigan Regional Planning Commission

Each year this commission sets the course for the following year by establishing a list of focus areas.

West Side Corridor Improvement Authority

Are you interested guiding the development of the West Side Corridor?
This board proposes development plans for economic growth on GR's West Side.