Boards & Commissions

Apply to Serve on a Board or Commission

All appointed City of Plymouth boards and commissions are volunteer based. Citizens who wish to serve are invited to complete an online application that will be submitted it to the Plymouth City Clerk's office.

You can also print the application and send to the Plymouth City Clerk's office at 201 S. Main St., Plymouth, MI 48170, submit via email to [email protected] or fax to 734-455-1892.

Check out the Board and Commission Recruitment Guide to see which board or commission you are most interested in serving on.

Click on the individual Boards & Commissions on the left side of this page for information on each or view a printable list here.

Appointment Process

The City Commission is responsible for appointing members to the City's various boards and commissions. Generally, the Appointments Committee consists of the Mayor, Mayor Pro tem, and the Commissioner who serves as the liaison to the board or commission in question. The Appointments Committee recommends applicants to the City Commission for ultimate approval.

Each application submitted is acknowledged and reviewed by the Appointments Committee and is kept on file with the City Clerk’s office for up to three (3) years. 

When there is a current or expected vacancy, the Mayor Pro tem may contact the applicant for an informal interview to determine their eligibility and appetite to serve. If that interview is successful, the applicable board/commission liaison Commissioner will speak with the applicant next. Finally, a candidate would speak to the Mayor. Upon recommendation of those City Commissioners, the appointment would be brought to the entire City Commission for final consideration and approval.


Guidelines for Boards and Commissions

City of Plymouth Boards and Commissions provide a way that residents can participate in their government.  Appointed Boards and Commissions can best serve the city when they are fully aware of the strategic plan and priorities of the City Commission.

Ethics Ordinance: Each Board and Commission member shall sign an acknowledgement form stating that they have read the ethics ordinance and understand its purpose.

City of Plymouth
2022-2026 Strategic Plan with 2023 One-Year Tasks

Goal Area One – Sustainable Infrastructure

Key Objectives
• Identify and establish sustainable financial model(s) for major capital projects, Old Village business district, 35th District Court, recreation department, and public safety
• Incorporate eco-friendly, sustainable practices into city assets, services, and policies, including more
environmentally friendly surfaces, reduced impervious surfaces, expanded recycling and composting services, prioritizing native and pollinator-friendly plants, encouraging rain gardens, and growing a mature tree canopy
• Partner with or become members of additional environmentally aware organizations
• Increase technology infrastructure into city assets, services, and policies
• Continue sustainable infrastructure improvement for utilities, facilities, and fleet
• Address changing vehicular habits, including paid parking system /parking deck replacement plan, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and one-way street options

2024 One-Year Tasks

  1. Determine direction for Old Village Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District
  2. Create asset management plan for city facilities
  3. Seek additional, supplemental government funding
  4. Explore and identify community legacy funding opportunities
  5. Plan and strategize for potential recreational millage proposal
  6. Implement 2024 construction projects and plan for 2025 projects
  7. Prepare & complete bond sale for road infrastructure projects
  8. Receive International City/County Management Association (ICMA) fire study and implement suggestions as warranted
  9. Pursue electrical upgrade in Old Village for special event purposes
  10. Complete parking deck engineering review
  11. Continue Michigan Green Communities Challenge (MGCC) – maintain bronze level and seek opportunities for advancement to silver
  12. Target citywide bike rack installation in high-traffic areas
  13. Review opportunities for additional parking spaces
  14. Install EV chargers at Plymouth Cultural Center (PCC)
  15. Monitor utilization of current EV chargers
  16. Plan/budget for mausoleum repair project at Riverside Cemetery
  17. Complete water meter upgrade program


Goal Area Two – Staff Development, Training, and Succession

Key Objectives
• Create policies and programs that support staff recruitment/retention, including a coordinated recruitment program, flexible scheduling, and an internship program
• Increase staff levels to appropriately support city services and departments
• Provide staff/board/volunteer trainings and programming with a focus on improving understanding on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion and emphasizing working with and serving diverse communities

2024 One-Year Tasks

  1. Continue staff development and succession planning
  2. Maintain staffing levels
  3. Update five-year staffing projections
  4. Continue diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training opportunities
  5. Review opportunities for supplemental staffing – interns/volunteers



Goal Area Three – Community Connectivity

Key Objectives
• Engage in partnerships with public, private and non-profit entities
• Increase residential/business education programs for active citizen engagement
• Actively participate with multi-governmental lobbies (Michigan Municipal League, Conference of Western Wayne, etc.)

2024 One-Year Tasks

  1. Host Coffee with Commissioners
  2. Continue police community outreach programs - including Coffee with a Cop
  3. Provide for two Citizens Academy programs
  4. Develop communication/marketing/branding plan
  5. Increase social media engagement
  6. Implement new Short Message/Messaging Service (SMS) and email system
  7. Schedule a minimum of four Committee of the Whole (COW) meetings
  8. Review and adopt citywide public participation plan
  9. City Commission to initiate Know Your Neighbor style programs
  10. Craft a standardized onboarding program for appointed boards and commissions

Goal Area Four – Attractive, Livable Community

Key Objectives
• Create vibrant commercial districts by seeking appropriate mixed-use development, marketing transitional properties, and implementing Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) practices
• Improve existing and pursue additional recreational and public green space opportunities and facilities for all ages
• Develop multi-modal transportation plan which prioritizes pedestrian and biker safety
• Improve link between Hines Park, Old Village, Downtown Plymouth, Plymouth Township, and other regional destinations
• Maintain safe, well-lit neighborhoods with diverse housing stock that maximize resident livability and satisfaction.
• Modernize and update zoning ordinance to reflect community vision
• Implement Kellogg Park master plan
  1. Continue pursuit of RRC “Certified” status, from current “Essentials” status
  2. Adopt the master plan
  3. Complete legal review of noise ordinance and increase public education
  4. Continue implementation of Kellogg Park and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) master plan(s)
  5. Begin development of a DDA streetscape improvement plan
  6. Review opportunities for additional parks and facilities
  7. Consider feasibility of social district(s) in Old Village
  8. Develop partnership plan for multi-modal access to Hines Dr.
  9. Review and update special event policy
  10. Complete legal review of potential marihuana ordinance(s)
  11. Complete generator ordinance
  12. Continue process of upgrading Tonquish Creek Nature Walk