The City of Benicia currently has 12 citizen boards and commissions that help to facilitate public engagement and involvement of civic affairs. In Benicia’s case, we have a range of interests from bodies that focus on the arts, community services, economic development, planning, local taxes, and sustainability, just to name a few.
At its core, serving on a local board or commission is an act of public service. Local boards and commissions often focus on issues that directly affect residents, such as urban planning, environmental protection, recreation, or cultural affairs. By participating in these groups, individuals have the opportunity to influence decisions that impact the quality of life in their community. For example, a board focused on zoning can make decisions about land use that affect local neighborhoods, while our economic development board will review best practices and model legislation to develop a new business license ordinance for our municipal code.
“Local boards and commissions often
focus on issues that directly affect residents,
such as urban planning, environmental
protection, recreation, or cultural affairs. By
participating in these groups, individuals have
the opportunity to influence decisions that
impact the quality of life in their community.”
Serving on a local board or commission also deepens one’s understanding of civic engagement and the issues of the day. It allows individuals to see how local governance works from the inside, offering a firsthand perspective on how decisions are made, how policies are shaped, and how public input is integrated into policy decisions. When the City seeks input on developing initiatives, be it public projects or input for local tax measures, our board members are often the first space for public input. This encourages active participation in the political and civic processes, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility in the community.
Moreover, being on a local board or commission enables individuals to be direct advocates for causes they care about. Whether it’s developing programs that promote public art in our community, such as painted utility boxes or murals, supporting public health initiatives, or improving municipal code language to cut red tape and streamline permits for new businesses. Commission members often become champions for issues that are important to them and the broader community.
Finally, local boards and commissions are an essential way to build stronger, more connected communities. For the past few years, we have championed the pride in our community by reminding our residents to “Believe in Benicia”. One way we can demonstrate that belief is by volunteering to serve on a board or commission. By serving, individuals can help foster a culture of civic involvement, transparency, and accountability. Most importantly, local boards and commissions help build trust between the government and the community. Those serving on commissions are not paid staff members or elected officers, rather they are residents, just like the neighbors and friends with whom they interact on a daily basis. In this capacity board members are amazing ambassadors to share the work of their local government in a manner that can be easily received by fellow residents.
For those seeking to make a difference serving on a commission it’s an opportunity to create lasting change while gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities and rewards of civic leadership.
Believe in Benicia
Mario Giuliani
