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Council debates incentives for volunteers on boards and commissions; no firm policy adopted
Summary
Council members discussed options to boost recruitment and retention for boards and commissions, including passes, modest payments or other recognition, but council split on whether to pursue incentives and asked staff for options if asked to do so.
Council members on March 11 discussed whether the city should offer incentives or recognition to volunteers who serve on boards, commissions and as poll workers. The discussion ranged from free annual passes for city attractions to modest per-diem payments; the council did not adopt a definitive policy.
Council Member Eslinger proposed a yearly pass transferable to family members for board and commission members and poll workers, but said the pass should not be available to staff or council and should include an attendance requirement. Council Member Stevenson supported exploring incentives, noting barriers such as childcare and shift work can limit participation. Council Member Flom and others raised caution that incentives tied to membership can create perverse incentives or perceived conflicts of interest; Flom referenced county experience where per-diem payments affected behavior.
City Manager Grill and staff noted the city already provides some non-monetary recognition (service plaques and departmental acknowledgements) and that vacancies have improved after prior board restructuring. The council debated whether staff should prepare options. A straw poll during the discussion produced mixed views: some council members asked staff to identify options available (e.g., passes, limited compensation, recognition) and the administrative impact; other council members opposed pursuing an incentive program without clearer parameters. No formal motion to adopt a program passed at the meeting.
Why it matters: Oshkosh depends on volunteers to fill many advisory roles; council members voiced interest in boosting participation while warning against introducing inappropriate financial incentives that could undermine volunteerism or create conflicts.
Next steps: Staff can report back if council formally requests a options analysis; at the meeting several members expressed interest in receiving a menu of possible incentives and the estimated administrative implications, while others said they were opposed to paid incentives.
