Fairfield seeking residents to serve the community: 8 ways you can

Fairfield City Council is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on the various city boards and commissions.

All board and commission positions are not compensated, and applicants should be residents of the city and not conduct business with the city.

City Council will review and make the appointments. Applications may be downloaded or completed online,  or obtained in the Clerk of Council's office at the Fairfield Municipal Building, 5350 Pleasant Avenue.

The application deadline is Jan. 31.

 

Board terms begin April 1, and include:

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS 

One position available. The term of office for members of the Board of Zoning Appeals is five years. The Board of Zoning Appeals hears appeals from zoning decisions and has the authority to grant zoning variances.

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 

One position available. Three members serve on this commission, and according to the Charter, not more than two members shall be registered to vote in a primary election of the same political party. The term of office for members of the Civil Service Commission is three years.

Fairfield’s Civil Service Commission shall administer the Civil Service provisions of the general laws of Ohio for the classified employees of the city and school district.

CULTURAL ARTS ADVISORY COMMISSION 

One positions available. The term of office for three of the positions is three years.

The Cultural Arts Advisory Commission serves as an advisory group to the Fairfield Parks and Recreation Board, dedicated to the promotion of cultural arts activities within Fairfield. The commission assists in informing the public of arts activities, the solicitation of available grants for arts programming, and exploring cultural arts opportunities for the city.

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE 

Three positions available. There are two At-Large and one Downtown business owner/operator seats open. Though an third At-Large candidate may be accepted. The term of office for seats on the Design Review Committee is two years. The Design Review Committee reviews plans that are submitted in the Downtown District to assure that objectives of the city’s design guidelines are achieved.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION 

Four positions available. The term of office of these positions is three years. The Environmental Commission serves as an advisory body to Fairfield Parks and Recreation Board for the purpose of promoting environmental stewardship and the conservation of natural resources, and maintaining and increasing the amount of tree cover on public and private land in Fairfield by coordinating, initiating and publicizing activities that affect the community forest.

PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 

Two positions available. One partial term for the Second Ward and a full term for the Third Ward. The term of office for seats on the Parks & Recreation Board is three (3) years. Some of the board’s duties include determining programs and activities of the city regarding parks and recreation, authorization of money and awarding contracts for the operation and maintenance of the city’s parks and recreation programs, adoption of rules and regulations.

PLANNING COMMISSION 

One position available. One partial term for a Third Ward seat (three years remaining on the four-year term). Some of the duties of the Planning Commission include authorization of plans and maps, development of and modifications to the comprehensive plan, location and character of public utilities, the use of land and the zoning thereof, subdivision and other land development regulations, and development, redevelopment and renewal of the city.

INCOME TAX BOARD OF REVIEW 

One position available. Appointees may not be employees, elected officials or contractors of the city during their term, or for the previous five years. The term is for two years.  The Local Board of Tax Review shall schedule hearings to be held within 60 days after receiving an appeal of an assessment, unless the taxpayer requests additional time to prepare or waives a hearing.

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