Here’s how to join a city board or commission

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Want to get more involved in the city’s happenings, but don’t know where to begin? Joining a board or a commission can help fill that void in your life + an empty seat at their table.

In Columbia, there are 35 boards + commissions focused on things like parks, airports, and food insecurity.Today we’re sharing the 16 that are currently vacant or have terms ending soon.

Accommodations Tax (A-Tax)

  • Three vacancies | Two-year term
  • The committee serves to receive, review + make recommendations to the City Council on proposals from those requesting money from the city’s Accommodation Tax Fund.

Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)

  • Five vacancies | Three-year term
  • Assist city officials and community partners to address bicycling and pedestrian issues + develop a bicycle and pedestrian master plan.

Board of Zoning Appeals Forms Based Codes

  • Two vacancies | Three-year term
  • Hear and resolve appeals involving alleged errors in zoning administrator orders + requirements when the property is governed by a form based code.

Bull Street Commission

  • Two vacancies
  • Advise the city in achieving the vision and goals for developing Bull Street.

Building Board of Adjustment and Appeals

  • Six vacancies | Three-year term
  • Hear appeals as it relates to the 2006 International Building Code.

Climate Protection Action Committee

  • Two non-voting vacancies | Three-year term
  • Recommend and oversee the development and implementation of projects to create a more sustainable community.

Design Development Review Commission (DDRC)

  • Three vacancies for: an attorney, an architectural historian, a District 2 Community Representative | Three-year term
  • Review and approve works proposed within the city’s historic districts, urban design areas + designated landmarks.

Columbia Housing Authority (CHA)

  • One vacancy for a commissioner | Five-year term
  • Responsible for oversight of the Columbia Housing Authority which provides temporary, subsidized, safe, and decent sanitary housing for eligible persons.

Commercial Revolving Loan Fund

  • Two vacancies for an attorney + a small business owner | Two-year term
  • Examine applications for loans from the City of Columbia Commercial Revolving Loan Fund and approve or disapprove them.

Food Policy Committee

  • One vacany | Two-year term
  • Gather and address problems and find solutions to problems that promote sustainability.

Greater Columbia Community Relations Council (GCCRC)

  • Three vacancies | Three-year term
  • Serve to help develop better relations as they affect the greater Columbia area and make recommendations to the City Council.

Historic Columbia Foundation (HCF)

  • One vacancy | Four-year term
  • Develop programs to support + protect the historical and cultural heritage of Columbia.

Hospitality Tax (H-Tax)

  • Four vacancies: one restauranteur and three at-large | Two-year term
  • Review applications for funding + make recommendations to the City Council.

Planning Commission

  • One vacancy | Three-year term
  • Develop + maintain a program to benefit Columbia residents to address local development needs.

Property Maintenance Board of Appeals

  • Two vacancies | Three-year term
  • Hear appeals to decisions by the Housing Official or to a notice of violation of the International Property Maintenance Code

Richland Lexington Airport District Commission

  • One vacancy | Four-year term
  • Maintain the infrastructure of airports and air navigation to serve the people of the Richland-Lexington airport district.

Deadline — applications are due no later than tomorrow at 5 p.m. + can be submitted through the city’s new MatchBoard interface .

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David is based in Columbia, SC where he’s lived since graduating from UofSC’s School of Journalism in 2006. In his 20+ years in the Soda City, he founded Scene SC, an outlet covering the SC music scene, and has contributed to local publications including SCETV, Jasper Magazine, Free Times, and The Post and Courier. He currently serves on boards for One Columbia for Arts and Culture and the Jam Room Music Festival.
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