Boards & Commissions
The purpose of this section is to acquaint citizens with the functions and responsibilities of the Boards and Commissions. The links at the bottom include the membership, term of office and current meeting times of each Board or Commission, while also providing general information.
The City of Dowagiac welcomes the opportunity and encourages citizens to participate in their City government. If you have an interest in serving on any of the boards or commissions, view the application here and submit it to the City Manager's Office.
Board of Review
The Board of Review is a three-member board, which examines and reviews the assessment roll for the current year as prepared by the assessor. The Board of Review endorses the completed assessment roll. At the March Board of Review, the Board hears taxpayer appeals. For the July and December Board of Reviews, the purpose of this meeting is to correct a clerical error or a mutual mistake of fact relative to the correct assessment figures, the rate of taxation, or the mathematical computation relating to the assessing of taxes.
Board- 3 Members Term - 3 Years Meetings - Tuesday following first Monday in March Residency Requirements - City Residency
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority is a five-member board, whose function is to provide assistance in the redevelopment of contaminated property throughout the city through the use of State and local incentives. This authority was created July 8, 2002 to facilitate the implementation of Brownfield Plans relating to the identification and treatment of environmentally distressed properties, so as to promote revitalization within the municipal limits of the City of Dowagiac
Board - 5 Members Term - 1 Year Meetings - As Needed Residency Requirements - Service Area Residency
Building Authority
The Building Authority consists of three members and was created for the purpose of acquiring, furnishing, equipping, owning, improving, enlarging, operating and maintaining a building or buildings, automobile parking lots or structures, recreational facilities, stadiums, and the necessary site or sites therefore, together with appurtenant properties and facilities necessary or convenient for the effective use of the facilities, for use for any legitimate public purpose of the city.
Board - 3 Members Term - 6 Years Meetings - As needed Residency Requirements - Service Area Residency
The Cemetery Board is comprised of five members and is an advisory board responsible for the operation, maintenance and care of Riverside Cemetery.
Board - 5 Members Term - 5 Years Meetings - Quarterly Residency Requirements - Service Area Residency
Dial-A-Ride Transportation Local Advisory Board
Consists of a minimum of six members. The members review and recommend to City Council the DART budget, fare structure and improvements to services provided by DART under the direction of the DART Coordinator. One of the oldest Dial-A-Ride services in Michigan, Dowagiac DART began demand-response services in June 1975 with a three-bus fleet.
Board - 6 Members Term - Open-Ended Meetings - As Needed Residency Requirements - Service Area Residency
Election Commission
The Election Commission is comprised of three members and was created to be in charge of all activities and duties required of it by state law and the City Charter relating to the conduct of City elections.
Board - 3 Members Term - By Elected/Appointed Terms, Non-Expiring Meetings - As Indicated by City Clerk Residency Requirements -By Charter
Housing Commission Board
The Housing Commission consists of five members and strictly limits itself to the needs of those facilities and individuals (including, but not by way of limitation, the elderly, the handicapped, and those displaced by urban renewal or other governmental action) who are in the lowest income group and who cannot afford to pay enough to cause private enterprise in the city metropolitan area to build an adequate supply of decent, safe and sanitary dwellings for their use.
Board - 5 Members Term -5 Years Meetings - Quarterly at Chestnut Towers Residency Requirements - Service Area Residency
Library Board
The Dowagiac District Library was established in 2003 to provide high-quality library services to residents of the Dowagiac Union School District, including Silver Creek, Keeler and Wayne Townships, excluding Pokagon and LaGrange Townships. Reciprocal borrowing agreements make it possible for residents of the Dowagiac, Cass and Van Buren District, and Watervliet and Hartford libraries to borrow and share resources. This Board consists of seven members, who are appointed by each of the participating governments. The City appoints two members of this Board.
Local Officials Compensation Council (LOCC)
This Committee reviews and recommends to Council the salary adjustments for local elected officials.
Board - 5 Members Term - 5 Years Meetings - Odd Numbered Years Residency Requirements - Service Area Residency
This Committee consists of 14 members, whose role is to study, investigate and advise the Museum Director and City Council on artifacts, collections, and displays of local history at the Dowagiac Area History Museum.
Parks and Recreation Board
This Board consists of five members, who afford citizenship participation in the affairs of the city government for the purpose of reviewing the needs of community park facilities.
Board - 5 Members Term - 5 Years Meetings - Quarterly Residency Requirements - Service Area Residency
The Planning Commission is comprised of seven members, whose main purpose is to regulate land use in the city. They formulate plans and make recommendations for the most effective economic, social and physical development of the city. Actions of these duties are based on the comprehensive Master Plan, which contains the entire geographical area of the city and the physical structures and services such as roads and utilities relevant to physical development for the next 15 to 20 years.
Board - 7 Members Term - 3 Years Meetings - 1st Monday of Each Month Residency Requirements - City Residency
Tree Board
The Tree Board is comprised of five members and has the responsibility to study, investigate and counsel; develop or update and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public areas.
Board - 5 Members Term - 5 Years Meetings - As Needed Residency Requirements - Service Area Residency
Zoning Board of Appeals
Considers appeals of matters pertaining to the interpretation and enforcement of the City's Zoning Ordinance. The powers of the ZBA include hearing of appeals, granting of variances, zoning ordinance interpretations and granting of temporary uses and buildings.
Board - 5 Members Term - 3 Years Meetings - As Needed Residency Requirements - City Residency
Board and Commission Application