"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
The City of Modesto is looking for you to join a small group of committed people to help improve Modesto. Our City Boards, Commissions, and Committees have a number of opportunities to be involved and make a real and lasting impact on our City.
The City of Modesto believes citizen input and involvement is essential to providing and maintaining quality services to the Modesto community. Our residents are our top priority and to meet your expectations, citizen advisory groups, called boards, committees, and commissions, are formed to assist the Modesto City Council in making policy decisions that impact the community. These citizen-driven groups research, study, and discuss specific issues with both short and long-term implications, by forwarding their recommendations to the city council.
We just finished recruiting for our Community Police Review Board (CPRB). A recommendation and top priority of the Forward Together Workgroup, the CPRB will serve alongside Modesto residents to build stronger relationships and greater accountability between law enforcement and the Modesto community. Although the CPRB recruitment is complete, we encourage residents to participate in their meetings to provide valuable feedback and input to the Board.
There are plenty of other opportunities for residents to get involved though.
With the approval of Measure G, passed by Modesto voters in November of 2022, the ballot language added the Audit Committee to the City Charter and changed the members to include the Mayor, two members of the City Council, and two members of the public who are residents of the City of Modesto. The charter language prioritizes members of the public who possess a minimum of two years of experience in financial or performance auditing. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to advise the City Council on items related to the work of the City Auditor and the City’s financial statement or other types of audits. Community involvement in the Audit Committee is an important element to the City’s effort to be transparent with City finances and functions.
Measure H is a one cent sales tax also passed by the voters in 2022. The Measure H Oversight Board is established to review all money received and spent from the sales tax revenue generated from the passage of Measure H. The Measure H Oversight Board plays a critical role in ensuring that the voter-approved funds are being spent appropriately by the City of Modesto.
There are other very important and vital openings and opportunities for citizens to get involved. We have openings on our Blight Abatement Committee, Citizens Housing & Community Development Committee, Downtown Improvement District Advisory Board, and Golf Courses Advisory Committee just to name a few.
February is National Black History Month and I am reminded of the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Be a bush if you can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”
We can’t all be presidents, governors, senators, or mayors. But we can all be the best citizens we can be and serve our community. Join us and apply to be a member of one of our many committees. Be a part of a small group of thoughtful and committed residents and help us improve Modesto.
For more information visit our Boards, Commissions, and Committees website