Approximately 33 citizen advisory committees and boards help shape Clark County's future. From vegetation management to planning and development, these groups advise county departments and the Clark County Council on a host of issues.

If you're interested in serving on a committee or board, see "How to Apply" below on the left.

Meeting times are subject to change. Contact staff for information.

Advisory board and commission members are appointed by the County Council or County Manager.

Animal Protection and Control Advisory Board

Under Section 8.01.030 of the Clark County Code, the Clark County Council has established an Animal Protection and Control Advisory Board

Arts Commission

The primary purpose of the Arts Commission is to promote and support the arts in Clark County. The 11-member commission will work to promote awareness of the arts, expand accessibility to art in public places, and support collaboration among arts patrons, artists, the business community, service groups and cultural organizations. It also will support local artists and arts groups in their efforts to secure grants and other financing, and celebrate the creative talents and diverse skills of Clark County residents.

Members: 11 
Meetings: 5:30 pm on first Tuesday of each month or subsequent Tuesday if meeting falls on a holiday
Agenda & meeting minutes:  www.clarkcountyartscommission.com
Contact: Deborah Nagano, chair; Elaina Ilminen, vice-chair; Alice Yang, Secretary

 

 

Clark Communities Bicycle and Pedestrain Advisory Committee

The role of the committee is to advise the county and participating city and state government staff on matters involving bicycle and pedestrian transportation.

City/County Telecommunications Commission

The commission advises the Board of County Councilors and Vancouver City Council on matters related to cable television franchising. The commission establishes rules and regulations for cable television franchises and monitors compliance with franchise agreements.

Members: 8; 4 of whom are appointed by the county
Meetings: 7 pm quarterly on Wednesday, Vancouver City Council chambers, 415 W. 6th Street
Contact: Jim Demmon, City/County Cable Television Office, 360-487-8702

Clean Water Commission

The Clean Water Commission is a nine-member board serving in an advisory role to the Board of County Councilors on issues related to the Clean Water Division. The Clean Water Commission works with staff to review the program budget in detail, implement stormwater treatment improvements, bolster water quality monitoring, and enhance public education and outreach.

Commission on Aging

The purpose of the Commission on Aging is to provide leadership in managing and implementing Clark County's Aging Readiness Plan.

Community Action Advisory Board

The Community Action Advisory Board is comprised of nine members representing a cross section of the community. Board membership includes low-income citizens, elected public officials and the private sector.

Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board

The Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board advises and make recommendations to the Board of County Councilors related to developmental disabilities issues and services. The disabilities board provides community leadership on improvement of efficiency and effectiveness of community developmental disabilities programs.

Development and Engineering Advisory Board

Board meetings typically are held at 2:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month in the sixth-floor training room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street.

The Board of County Councilors formed the Clark County Development and Engineering Advisory Board to review policy and code changes and work with Community Development and Public Works on process improvements and fee issues.

Ethics Review Commission

The Ethics Review Commission is the result of a voter-approved amendment to the county charter. It was approved by voters in November 2021 and the commission was established in 2022.

The commission consists of three members who will serve alternating three-year terms. For the initial terms, Commissioner 1 will serve a one-year term, Commissioner 2 will serve a two-year term and Commissioner 3 will serve a three-year term. Thereafter, each selected commissioner will serve three-year terms.

The commission is responsible for hearing, investigating, and ruling on complaints of violations of the code of ethics in Clark County Code 2.07.01, Code of Ethical Conduct and applies to elected officials, appointed committee or advisory board members, and county employees.

Historic Preservation Commission

The HPC initiates and maintains the Clark County Historic Register and reviews proposed design changes to registered properties.

Historical Promotions Grant
Each year, the Board of County Councilors awards grants to encourage historic preservation and programs, including the preservation of historic documents.

Noxious Weed Control Board

The Weed Board is a five-member board serving in an advisory capacity for the Board of County Councilors on issues related to controlling noxious weeds in Clark County.

Parks Advisory Board

The seven-member Parks Advisory Board makes recommendations to the Board of County Councilors on issues such as:

Planning Commission

Please see the Hearings and meetings notes webpage for information on upcoming and past Planning Commission meetings.

Public Health Advisory Council

The Public Health Advisory Council advises the Board of Health on:

Improving the health of Clark County citizens.
Promoting public participation in and identification of public health needs.
Providing communication between the Board of Health and Clark County citizens.

Railroad Advisory Board

The Clark County Railroad Advisory Board  studies ways to improve the economic stability of the railway and explores recreational opportunities and other uses of the rail line.

Solid Waste Advisory Commission

The Clark County Solid Waste Advisory Commission is a nine-member panel appointed by the Board of County Councilors to represent a broad spectrum of the community.

The commission meets at 6 pm on the first Thursday of February, May, August and November at the Center for Community Health, 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 986614, Room 210B&C

SWAC advises the Board of County Councilors on solid waste matters including:

Urban County Policy Board   

(formerly CDBG Advisory Board)
The Urban County Policy Board (UCPB) selects projects to be funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs based on a numeric scoring system. The UCPB consists of the Mayors, or their appointed designees, from all cities and towns in the county except Vancouver and is chaired by a County Councilor.

Veterans Advisory Board

The Veterans Advisory Board oversees the Clark County Veteran's Assistance Fund, which provides emergency relief to qualified veterans. The board consists of nationally recognized veterans organizations in Clark County and veterans from the community. The majority of members must be representatives of service organizations, but veterans may join as members at large, if approved by the board. Service organizations and members at large must renew their letter of intent each October.

 

Other volunteer or county-related boards and commissions

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Meeting times are subject to change. Contact staff for information. 

Assessor Farm Advisory Committee

Advises the Assessor on implementing guidelines for assessment of open space, farm, agricultural and timber land classified under chapter 84.34 RCW.

• Members: 5 members representing the county's farm community. Terms are for one year. Recommended by the Assessor and appointed by the County Councilors.
• Meetings: Annual
• Contact: Dennis Schodt, Assessment, 564-397-4628

Board of Equalization

The board is an independent body organized to process and hear appeals of various determinations made by the county Assessor's Office.

• Members: 3; up to 4 alternates
• Meetings: 9-11:30 a.m. every other Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 1300 Franklin St.
• Contact: Michelle Murie, 564-397-2337

Building Code Board of Appeals

Hears appeals of decisions by the county Building Division regarding the International Building Code and Residential Code.

• Members: 7
• Meetings: As needed
• Contact: Max Booth, Chief Building Official, 564-397-2470

Civil Service Commission

Civil Service is charged with recruiting, testing, hiring and promoting of all Sheriff's Office employees under Chapter 41.14 RCW.

The Board of County Councilors appoints citizens to serve on the Civil Service Commission. Terms are voluntary and for six years. Commissioners cannot hold any salaried public office or engage in county employment, other than the commission duties, during their term. Commissioner terms do not run consecutively. Only three commissioners can be of the same political party.

Ending Community Homelessness Organization (ECHO)

The Ending Community Homelessness Organization (ECHO) consists of leaders from Clark County, its cities, and other key Clark County community stakeholders. The ECHO exists as a forum to consider homelessness comprehensively and holistically with the goal of identifying possible gaps and opportunities for further coordination and investment.

• Members: 9
• Meetings: Second Tuesday of every month from 9:30am-11:00am.
• Contact: Kristin Phillips, kristin.phillips@clark.wa.gov 

Emergency Medical Service Administrative Board

Administers the competitive process for procuring ambulance service in Clark County EMS District #2 and carries out ongoing ambulance contract performance oversight on behalf of participating jurisdictions.

• Members: 5
• Meetings: Noon-1:30 pm, third Tuesday of pre-scheduled month, i.e. January, February, May, June, September, October, November, Public Service center, 1300 Franklin Street, sixth-floor training room, Vancouver
• Contact: Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, 360-737-1911

Fairground Site Management Group

The Fairgrounds Site Management Group manages, operates and markets the Clark County Fairgrounds Facilities. The group consists of five (5) directors. Two directors are appointed by the Clark County Fair Association and three directors are appointed by Clark County. One county appointee shall be a senior county staff member who shall act as chairman and vote only in the event of a tie.

Fire Code Board of Appeals

Determines suitability of alternate materials and types of construction to provide for reasonable interpretations of the provisions of the International Fire Code.

• Members: 6
• Meetings: As needed
• Contact: Brandon Sciaretta, Deputy Fire Marshal, 564-397-3322

Fort Vancouver Regional Library Board

The Board of County Councilors recommends three members of the seven-member board. The recommendations must be approved by joint action of the  Clark, Skamania and Klickitat county legislative boards. Terms are for seven years.

Library trustees are responsible for policies regarding the district's 15 locations, two bookmobiles, online services at www.fvrl.org and centralized headquarters. The district service area includes approximately 464,000 people and covers more than 4,200 square miles in southwest and south-central Washington. It includes all of Clark County except the city of Camas, all of Skamania and Klickitat counties and the city of Woodland in Cowlitz County.

The district operates community libraries in Battle Ground, Goldendale, La Center, North Bonneville, Ridgefield, Stevenson, the Vancouver urban area, Washougal, White Salmon Valley and Woodland. It also operates the Mall Library Connection at Westfield Vancouver Mall and Library Express in Yacolt. The district provides services to Yale Library Express under contract with Yale Valley Library District.

Law and Justice Council

Develops a community corrections plan for local and state correctional services in the county

• Members: 26
• Meetings: 8 am, second Thursday.
• Contact: Michelle Pfenning, michelle.pfenning@clark.wa.gov; County Manager's office, 564-397-2232

Mosquito Control District Board of Trustees

A Board of Trustees oversees the work of the Mosquito Control District and establishes its policy. The board is comprised of one member from each city or town in Clark County, and three county at large members appointed by the County Council. The board adopts the work plan, prepares and approves district expenditures and contracts for services. 

North Country Emergency Medical Administrative Board

Makes recommendations about operation of North Country Emergency Medical Services.

• Members: 10; 1 county representative (councilor) and alternate (county manager)
• Meetings: 10 am, bi-monthly, fourth Tuesday, 300 W. Hoag St., Yacolt
• Contact: Shaun Ford, North Country EMS, 360-686-3271

Plumbing Code Board of Appeals

Hears appeals and makes decisions when someone wants to deviate from the Uniform Plumbing Code and International Mechanical Code.

• Members: 7
• Meetings: As needed
• Contact: Max Booth, Chief Building Official, 564-397-2470

Portland International Airport Citizen Noise Advisory Committee

Acts on behalf of local jurisdictions as official forum to address community noise concerns; monitors implementation of current Portland International Airport noise plan; reviews airport noise issues and provides advice on issue resolution and follow-up action; develops ideas and recommends proposals for consideration in the future airport noise plans; participates on advisory committees involved in long-range airport facilities and capital improvement planning; enhances citizen understanding of airport noise management through work of the advisory committee as a whole.

• Members: 15
• Meetings: 5:30 pm, second Thursday of every odd-numbered month, Portland International Airport, 7000 NE Airport Way, Portland, Ore.
  - Meeting summaries
• Contact: Emerald Bogue, Port of Portland, 503-460-4018