Advisory Board or Commission Application Process

Welcome to the City of Mercer Island Advisory Board or Commission Application Process. The application is on the bottom of this page.  Click here to be taken directly to the application. 

Thank you for your interest in serving the Mercer Island community on a City advisory board or commission.  Mercer Island's advisory boards and commissions provide an invaluable service to the City. Their advice on a wide variety of subjects aids the City Council in the decision-making process. Effective citizen participation is an invaluable tool for local government.  

Please carefully review the information below, to complete the application. After clicking submit, your application will be sent to the City Clerk’s Office. 

Appointments to boards and commissions are made by a vote of the City Council during a regularly scheduled meeting. Generally, terms run June 1 through May 31, for a four-year period. Members shall serve without compensation.  

Applicant Requirements

Candidates must be current residents of Mercer Island, unless otherwise specified by the Mercer Island City Code (see MICC 3.34.030(B)2 Design Commission). In addition, applicants are urged to familiarize themselves with the applicable criteria for the position they are applying for, as some boards or commissions highly prefer certain qualifications (for example, Design Commission).

  • Mercer Island Arts Council – see MICC 3.55                                
  • Design Commission – see MICC 3.34.030                                     
  • Planning Commission – see MICC 3.46
  • Parks & Recreation Commission – see MICC 3.53
  • Open Space Conservancy Trust – see Ord. No. 96-002            
  • Utility Board – see MICC 3.52

The City Council adopted a revised Code of Ethics on June 15, 2021. These standards and guidelines apply to the City Council and Board Members and Commissioners.

Click here to go directly to the application.

Application Process

If you meet the above requirements and want to apply, you may submit an application for specific boards or commissions regardless of whether there are current vacancies or expiring positions. You may submit one application for multiple advisory boards or commissions of interest to you.

If you are appointed, you will receive a letter from the Mayor indicating the term of your appointment. The department responsible for staffing the board or commission will contact you for orientation and provide you notice of the first meeting.

The contact information for each applicant is retained in the City Clerk’s Office for only two years. During this two year period, you may be contacted if there is a vacancy or during the annual recruitment process to determine if you would like to submit a current application for an open position.

Appointment Process

Please see the City Council Rules of Procedure Section 8.12 for the boards and commission appointment process (see Section 8.13 for appointment process for vacant positions). 

Open Government Training Requirement 

Per City Council Rules of Procedure Section 8.14, within 45 days of the appointment to a board or commission, all new members must complete the Open Public Meetings Act training required by the Open Government Trainings Act and provide proof of completion of such training to the City Clerk.


Please complete the entire application to assist the City with the appointment process.