Broomfield narrows boards and commissions application process; council favors mixed virtual/video options and in‑person interviews for select policy boards

City and County of Broomfield staff presented a proposed 2026 boards and commissions recruitment process and asked council for guidance on application questions, interview format and timeline.

Crystal Clemons, city and county clerk, said staff recommends a single application (applicants choose one board) and a simplified set of questions covering basic contact information, experience and interest, with an option to attach a resume. Applications would open Jan. 2 and close Jan. 31, with a proposed open house (date tentative) to introduce VolunteerHub and the application process.

"During the previous recruitment cycle, applicants were permitted to apply for multiple boards. This has led to several operational challenges," Clemons told council, citing withdrawals after appointment and technical limits in the dashboard. To address access and clarity, staff proposed one application per applicant with an optional SparkHire video question for applicants who prefer to speak rather than write.

Council feedback: most council members supported the simplified application and the proposed timeline. Several council members favored offering SparkHire as an optional recorded response for applicants who are verbal processors but stressed that applicants who skip the video should provide substantive written responses. A majority of council members supported in‑person interviews for policy‑making boards (the Board of Health, the Housing Authority/Housing Alliance and the Land Use Review Commission), while agreeing that SparkHire or virtual review is appropriate for many other boards.

Comprehensive plan advisory committee: staff also outlined a proposed community advisory committee to guide a comprehensive plan update. Lynn Merwin, deputy director of community development, said the committee would include 16–17 members: roughly five at‑large members, two youth representatives and nominations from nine existing boards and commissions (staff asked whether to add the new Flow advisory committee to that list). Council generally supported the recruitment approach, asked staff to check timelines for youth representation (to ensure student members can serve the planned 18–24 month term), and approved adding the Flow committee to the nomination list.

Timeline and next steps: staff will begin marketing in December, open applications Jan. 2–31, hold an open house mid‑January (date subject to change), and bring appointments through the January/February council schedule that aligns with the 2026 boards and commissions recruitment cycle. For the comp‑plan committee, staff will solicit nominations from boards and accept at‑large and youth applications using the same application system and timelines. Council gave staff sufficient direction to proceed; staff said they will finalize application wording and confirm interview logistics.

Ending: no formal votes were taken during the study session. Staff will implement the recruitment timeline and return with appointment materials according to the established schedule.