The City of Orange is calling on residents to actively participate in local government by joining various Advisory Committees and Commissions. Opportunities range from the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Economic Development Corporation, and the city aims to attract a diverse pool of applicants who can bring fresh perspectives to the table.
Residents have responsibilities including influencing decisions on nonprofit funding, planning new city events, city planning and zoning, and setting land-use policies.
For those not inclined toward planning and zoning, there are other positions available. “The Library Advisory Board helps advise the library director on materials, and the Civil Service Commission makes decisions on police and fire association unions,” said Kelvin Knauf, Director of Planning and Community Development. Knauf emphasized the importance of resident participation, as a lack of board members can hinder progress and delay meetings.
“When there aren’t enough board members, it delays progress and prevents commissions from meeting,” Knauf said. “The city, council, and staff miss out on valuable input and ideas to improve Orange.”
Wilson encourages residents to get involved, stressing the importance of community engagement. “I see that my voice is heard, and when citizens comment, their voices are heard too. It gives me more buy-in and ownership of the community I live in,” she said.
Residents interested in applying can find the application here. A full listing of city boards and commissions can be seen here.
