Commissions, Committees & Boards

Print Feedback

Font Size: + -

Meeting Calendar

You may attend commission, committee, and board meetings in person or online. Zoom details for meetings are listed on the top of each agenda. Please check our Meetings & Events Calendar for upcoming meetings and agendas.

General information, including the function of each advisory group, current members, and meeting schedules, can be found below.

Join a Board, Commission, or Committee

The City of Hillsboro is seeking volunteers who are committed to making our community better.

These equal opportunity positions are intended for diverse and talented volunteers who reflect and enhance the community we serve. Please consider joining the group of dedicated volunteers who help our City run smoothly.

The City is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within its boards, commissions, and committees. We recognize we must be inclusive in developing and implementing policies to ensure that City services are responsive to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, and other individual identities.

Current Openings

We currently have vacancies on the following boards and commissions starting January 2026:

Arts & Culture Council
Audit Committee
Parks & Recreation Commission
Historic Landmarks Advisory Committee
Public Engagement Committee
Planning and Zoning Hearings Board

Applications, can be completed electronically or submitted by hand, email, fax or mail to the City Recorder’s office (contact information found on the application). Use the Apply button within the City's agenda management portal to fill out the electronic application. Applications for the 2026 recruitment process are due Monday, October 15, 2025.

For more information, please email the City Recorder's Office or call 503-681-6117.

Appointment & Terms

Appointments are at the discretion of the Mayor and Council President, with the approval of the City Council, and are generally made at the first Council meeting of the year.

Board and commission members may serve up to three terms at the discretion of the City Council, with exception to the Utilities Commission and Planning and Zoning Hearings Board.

Members that desire to be reappointed for a second or third term will still be required to go through a formal application process. Members would be eligible to reapply after a two year break but could be considered for a separate board or commission after the third term.

Special Requirements

Some of the boards are unique and have special requirements. These are provided below. General information, including link to agendas and current members on all the boards and commission can be found below under Our Boards and Committees.

Special Requirements for the Arts & Culture Council position

We are recruiting for one youth position in addition to other general positions. Young people under the age of 18 are encouraged to apply. Gain leadership experience, boost college applications and work resumes! More information on this committee can be found at the links below.

Community Conversations

Watch a discussion about experiences serving on a board, commission, or council with:

Mayor Steve Callaway
Councilor Beach Pace
Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council member Ramon Cancel
Planning Commissioner Mujidat Saaka

Current & New Members

General Information: Commissions, Committees, and Boards

Board/commission organizational chart
For other ways to get involved with the City and provide feedback, visit our Get Involved webpage

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is made up of three City Councilors and three community members who are appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the additional City Council members.

Each City Councilor on the Committee has a term of office concurrent with the term served on the City Council, unless removed earlier by the Mayor with the consent of the additional City Council members. Community members are appointed for a four-year term. No member of the Audit Committee may serve more than three terms. Following a break of two years, a person may reapply. The Chair of the Finance Committee is also the Chair of the Audit Committee.

The purpose of the Committee is to provide a practical way to ensure management, independent auditors and the governing board meets their respective responsibilities in regards to providing sound financial reporting, internal controls and overall accountability in a public sector environment.

Meeting Materials

Membership Requirements

The community members of the Committee should have financial or audit-related experience.

Meeting Schedule

When: Meets at least twice a year
Time: Scheduled as needed
Place: Hillsboro Civic Center
Conference Room C113B&C

Address: 150 E Main Street

Contact Information:
City Manager's Office
503-681-6269

Budget Committee

The Budget Committee is established by state law and exists to approve the budget of the City. Seven members of the public, who may not be officers, agents or employees of the City, serve alongside the City Council (Mayor and six City Council members). Public members serve three-year terms. No member of the Budget Committee may serve more than three terms. Following a break of two years, a person may reapply.

The Committee acts as the fiscal planning board for the City by reviewing, revising and approving the City budget as presented by the Budget Officer. At the first meeting of the year, members elect a Chair and a Secretary. At the second meeting of the year, members receive the budget message from the Chair and receive and review the budget document. During the meeting, opportunity is given for citizens to testify on budget-related matters.

Meeting Materials

Membership Requirements

The Budget Committee must be comprised of current City Council members and an equal number of Hillsboro electors appointed by the Council.

Meeting Schedule

When: At least twice a year
Time: Scheduled as needed
Place: Hillsboro Civic Center
Conference Room C113B&C
Address: 150 E Main Street

Contact Information:
City Manager's Office
503-681-6269

Finance Committee

The purpose of the Finance Committee is to advise the Council on City financial matters, oversee City fiscal audits, review City investment programs and provide recommendations to the Council on City financial policies and actions.

Meeting Materials

Membership Requirements

The Finance Committee is a four-member committee including three City Councilors and one community member who serves as a non-voting member. The public member has a two-year term of office. No member of the Finance Committee may serve more than three terms. Following a break of two years, a person may reapply.

The three City Councilors also serve on the Audit Committee. The Chair of the Finance Committee is also Chair of the Audit Committee.

Meeting Schedule

When: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Time: 6 pm
Place: Hillsboro Civic Center
Conference Room C113B&C

Address: 150 E Main Street

Contact Information:
City Manager's Office
503-681-6269

Hillsboro Arts and Culture Council

The Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council (HACC) is a citizen advisory committee appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the additional City Council members. Under the general direction of the City Council, the HACC oversees policies and programs pertaining to arts and culture for the City. It is housed in the Parks and Recreation Department and is administered by the City of Hillsboro’s Cultural Arts Program Manager.

The mission of the Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council is to promote and support the growth of arts and culture as assets for a vital, prosperous, and livable community.

To learn more about how arts and culture help shape the City of Hillsboro be sure to look at the Hillsboro 2035 Community Plan and the Cultural Arts Action Plan.

Meeting Materials

HACC Objectives

To encourage and celebrate a diverse range of arts and cultural expressions in keeping with Hillsboro's unique identity and sense of place.
To build capacity and collaborations among artists and arts and cultural organizations and with other community interests.
To expand awareness and opportunities for cultural participation.
To promote life-long cultural learning through the arts and culture.
To further integrate the arts and culture into Hillsboro's civic priorities.

Membership Requirements

The HACC is made up of between 9-13 members who have been or are associated with specific arts, culture, heritage, business, education, social services, and government groups in the City. Members are not appointed to represent specific constituencies but to act on behalf of the entire community.

Each HACC member serves a three-year term or until their successor is appointed and takes office. Appointments and reappointments are staggered with at least one member appointed or reappointed each year. No member of the HACC may serve more than three terms. Following a break of two years, a person may reapply. The term of a member appointed to fill a vacancy expires at the end of the term of the vacating member.

Meeting Schedule

When: Fourth Wednesday of each month
Time: 4 – 6 pm
Place: Walter Cultural Arts Center
Address: 527 East Main Street

Contact Information:
Community Arts Management Specialist
503-615-3494

Hillsboro Economic Development Council

The city has an urban renewal agency, as authorized by state law, the corporate name of which is the Hillsboro Economic Development Council. The mayor and all councilors are members of the HEDC.

The purpose of the HEDC is to perform the duties of an urban renewal agency as set forth in state law.

When: Meets as needed
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Hillsboro Civic Center Auditorium

Address: 150 E Main Street

Contact Information:
City Manager's Office
503-681-6269

Historic Landmarks Advisory Committee

The Historic Landmarks Advisory Committee (HLAC) was formed in February 2008 to implement Strategy 15 in the Hillsboro 2020 Vision and Action Plan.

Visit our Historic Preservation webpage for more information about:
- Historic Preservation Grants
- Preserving Historic Hillsboro Awards
Explore Hillsboro's Cultural Resources Inventory

Duties of the HLAC are listed in Subchapter 2.48 of the Municipal Code:

Review and make recommendations to the Planning Commission on actions affecting properties on the Cultural Resource Inventory:
- exterior remodeling of existing resources
- demolition or relocation of existing resources
- nomination of new properties
Conduct general public outreach on historic preservation
Provide specific assistance to owners of historic properties
Develop and implement an annual historic preservation work plan
Pursue and administer certified Local Government grants for the benefit of the City

Meeting Materials

Membership Requirements

Each HLAC member serves a four-year term or until their successor is appointed and takes office. Appointments and reappointments are staggered with at least one member appointed or reappointed each year. HLAC members may be reappointed without term limits. The term of a member appointed to fill a vacancy expires at the end of term of the vacating member. No member of the HLAC may serve more than three terms. Following a break of two years, a person may reapply.

Meeting Schedule

When: Third Wednesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm, starting January 2024, these meetings will begin at 6 pm
Place: Hillsboro Civic Center
Conference Room 113b
Address: 150 E Main Street

Contact Information:
Community Development Department
503-681-6153

Library Board

This seven member Board is established by the State of Oregon in ORS §357.465. Members are appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the additional City Council members. The Board meets most often at the Brookwood Library, with meetings occasionally held at the Shute Park Library.

As provided by ORS §357.490 and Hillsboro Municipal Code subchapter 2.36, the Library Board has the following responsibilities:

Serves in an advisory capacity to City Council.The primary function is to provide policy and administrative rules recommendations related to library services.
Connects with the community to enhance support and promote advocacy for library funding, facilities and services.

Meeting Materials

Membership Requirements

Each LB member serves a four-year term or until their successor is appointed and takes office. Terms shall begin on the first day of the calendar year. Appointments and reappointments are staggered with at least one member appointed or reappointed each year.

At the expiration of the term of any LB member, a new member may be appointed or the current member reappointed for a four-year term. No member of the LB may serve more than three terms. Following a break of two years, a person may reapply. If a vacancy occurs, a new LB member will be appointed for the unexpired term.

Current Members

Meeting Schedule

When: Thursday evenings, eight times per year
Time: 6 pm to 8 pm
Place: Brookwood Library
Address: 2850 Brookwood Parkway

Contact Information:
Library Director
503-615-6500

Parks and Recreation Commission

The Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC), under the general direction of the City Council, establishes policy for management of the parks and recreation facilities and activities. The PRC is established by the City of Hillsboro Charter, Chapter X, Section 39.

Meeting Materials

Membership Requirements

Section 39 of the city charter creates PRC comprised of a minimum of five and a maximum of seven qualified electors of the city. Young people aged 18 years including members of the Youth Advisory Council are encouraged to apply.

Each PRC member serves a three-year term or until their successor is appointed and takes office. The term of a member appointed to fill a vacancy expires at the end of the term of the vacating member. No member of the PRC may serve more than three terms. Following a break of two years, a person may reapply.

Meeting Schedule

When: 4th Thursdays
Time: 8 am
Place: Parks & Recreation Administration Office
Address: 4400 NE Century BLvd

Contact Information:
Parks & Recreation Department
503-681-6120

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is made up of seven persons appointed by the Mayor with consent of the additional City Council members to serve a four-year term that may be renewed.

The Commission is the decision making authority for applications which deal with land uses and land use policy, such as comprehensive plan changes, community development code, planned unit developments, subdivisions, cultural resource alterations, floodplain activity permits and significant natural resource level 2 permit applications.

Decisions of the Commission can be made by minute order or by adoption of a formal Order and findings. Some decisions of the Commission are forwarded to the City Council as recommendations.

Meeting Materials

Membership Requirements

Each PC member serves a four-year term or until their successor is appointed and takes office. The term of a member appointed to fill a vacancy expires at the end of the term of the vacating member. No member of the PC may serve more than three terms. Following a break of two years, a person may reapply.

Meeting Schedule

When: 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Hillsboro Civic Center Auditorium

Address: 150 E Main Street

Contact Information:
Community Development Department
503-681-6153

Planning and Zoning Hearings Board

This body is comprised of a maximum of nine members with at least two members that must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. One of the two law school graduates will serve as the panel chair for each meeting.

The PZHB conducts public hearings concerning such applications as conditional use permits, applicant initiated zone changes and variances. The Board typically makes tentative decisions immediately following the hearing. After the close of the hearing, the hearings officer will prepare an Order finalizing the decision, which is signed by the participating Board members. Some decisions of the Board are in the form of a recommendation to the City Council.

The PZHB only meets when there are items scheduled for public hearing.

Meeting Materials

Membership Requirements

PZHB members must be appointed for staggered four-year terms or until their successor takes office. The terms of one panel chair and two other members are the maximum that shall expire each calendar year. No member of the PZHB may serve more than three terms with the exception of the panel chairs who are not subject to term limits. The term of a member appointed to fill a vacancy expires at the end of the term of the vacating member. Following a break of two years, a person may reapply.

Meeting Schedule

When: 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm, starting January 2024, these meetings will begin at 6 pm
Place: Hillsboro Civic Center Auditorium
Address: 150 E Main Street

Contact Information:
Community Development Department
503-681-6153

Public Engagement Committee

The Public Engagement Committee (PEC) serves as an advisory body to the Planning Commission regarding citizen involvement outreach strategies for proposed Comprehensive Plan major plan amendments, or upon request by the City Council, to the City regarding other matters of concern. The PEC fulfills the duties described in Statewide Planning Goal 1 for a committee for citizen involvement, meeting on an as-needed basis in order to:

Design and implement citizen involvement programs, which facilitate public involvement in
major Comprehensive Plan and implementing land use ordinance revisions, and assure that
such actions are based on factual and complete available information. At a minimum, such public involvement programs will provide for adequate notice on citizen involvement activities; advanced information on matters under consideration; and opportunities for citizen participation as determined by the PEC.
Inform the citizens of the Hillsboro planning area of the opportunity to participate in all phases of planning through the citizen involvement program.
Encourage and actively solicit citizen participation through a diverse and wide-ranging communication program.
Develop, through education, a citizenry capable of effective participation in the planning process.

Meeting Materials

Membership Requirements

Membership of the PEC shall be comprised of seven members including:

A Planning Commission liaison
A Hillsboro 2035 Oversight Committee liaison
A member of the youth advisory council
Four at-large members representative of diversity in the community geographically and/or demographically, particularly for communities of color, low-income populations, and other under-served or under-represented groups.

Requirements are the same for service on the Planning Commission: No more than two members may be presently or previously engaged in the same occupation, business, trade, or profession.

Meeting Schedule

When: As needed
Time: Scheduled as needed
Place: Hillsboro Civic Center
Conference Room C113B&C
Address: 150 E Main Street

Contact Information:
Community Development Department
503-681-6153

Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee is a four-member committee including three City Councilors and one community member who serves as a non-voting member.

The purpose of the Committee is to assist in the development of the Transportation System Plan (TSP) and to serve as the Traffic Safety Commission. Duties of the Transportation Committee are listed in Subchapter 2.16.020 of the Municipal Code:

Advise the Council on City transportation/traffic system issues, policies, standards, plans, and capital programs.
Guide transportation system planning work and public involvement in transportation programs.
Set goals for the Transportation System Plan and special transportation studies.
Review and recommend transportation-related programs and projects based on adopted local, regional and state plans.
Serve as the Traffic Safety Commission to research, develop, and implement traffic safety programs, promote the education of the public on traffic safety, and work toward the reduction of traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths in the public right-of-way. The Traffic Safety Commission may seek grant monies and review and recommend to City Council proposed safety projects eligible for grant funding.

Meeting Materials

Membership Requirements

Each Transportation Committee council member has a term of office concurrent with the term served on the council.

The public member has a two-year term of office. No member of the TC may serve more than three terms. Following a break of two years, a person may reapply.

Meeting Schedule

When: 4th Tuesday of each month
Time: 5:30 pm
Place: Hillsboro Civic Center Auditorium
Address: 150 E Main Street

Contact Information:
Public Works Department
503-681-6146

Send an email to the Transportation Committee through our online form.

Utilities Commission

The City of Hillsboro Utilities Commission is made up of a minimum of three and a maximum of five qualified City residents. It is established by the City of Hillsboro Charter, Chapter X, Section 38.

The Utilities Commission has the authority over the operation of the City water system, including the acquisition and sale of real property. The City water system includes water resource, treatment, and distribution facilities. The Commission makes rules for the conduct and management of the water system, sets rates for the use and consumption of water, sets system development charges for new or expanding construction, and also sets charges for other services provided inside or outside of the City.

Meeting Materials

Membership Requirements

Members serve three-year terms or until the appointment of a successor. The term of a member appointed to fill a vacancy expires at the end of the term of the vacating member

Meeting Schedule

When: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Time: 1:30 pm
Place: Hillsboro Civic Center
Conference Room 113B
Address: 150 E Main Street

Contact Information:
Water Department
503-681-6702

Send an email to the Utilities Commission through our online form.

Report a Public Meetings Law Violation

In the 2023 session, the Legislative Assembly passed HB 2805, which gives the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) the authority to enforce Oregon's Public Meetings Law (ORS 192.610 to 192.705)

City Council, including all board, commissions and committees, are subject to Oregon’s Public Meeting Law. Violations of the law should be reported through the grievance process outlined by state law and the OGEC. To report a violation, email the City Recorder’s Office or provide a written grievance to 150 East Main Street, 5th floor, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123. Once received, the City Recorder’s Office will initiate the process as outlined by the OGEC.

Learn more about reporting Public Meetings Law Violations on the City Council Meetings webpage.

Contact Us

Email the City Recorder's Officeor call 503-681-6117

Email Us

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Word Viewer