Civic-duty-minded individuals are always welcomed to apply for the many boards and commissions in Independence.
The mayor and City Council appoint people from a list of applicants. The boards fulfill a variety of duties, from helping shape the future of the city to making Independence a more attractive place to live to oversight committees watchdogging the use of public funds.
For more information about board and commissions opportunities, contact the city clerk’s office at 816-325-7015. Or apply in person at 111 W. Maple Ave.
• Board of Adjustments
•‑Board of Ethics
•‑Judicial Commission
•‑Personnel Board
•‑Planning Commission
•‑Public Utilities Advisory Board
•‑Housing Authority of the City of Independence
•‑Jackson County Board of Equalization
•‑University of Missouri Extension Council
•‑Audit and Finance Committee (Council Members only)
•‑Board of Building and Engineering Appeals
•‑Citizens with Disabilities Advisory Board
•‑Citizen Advisory Committee on Solid Waste Management
•‑City Beautification Commission
•‑Council/Landlord Technical Committee
•‑Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board of Directors
•‑Board of Electrical Examiners
•‑General Contractor Review Board
•‑Independence Advisory Board of Health
•‑Heritage Commission
•‑Historic Trails City Committee
•‑Advisory Board of Housing Rehabilitation
•‑Human Relations Commission
•‑Independence Council for Economic Development (Council Members only)
•‑Independence Park Commission
•‑Independence Regional Medical Center Tax Increment Financing Plan Advisory Committee
•‑Independence Square Advisory Board
•‑Industrial Development Authority
•‑Japanese Sister City Committee
•‑License Surcharge Annual Review Committee
•‑Board of Mechanical Examiners
•‑Board of Plumbing Examiners
•‑Public Safety Sales Tax Oversight Committee
•‑Save the Truman Station Committee
•‑Street Improvement Oversight Committee
•‑Storm Water Control Oversight Committee
•‑Tax Increment Financing Commission
•‑Tourism Advisory Board
•‑Tree Commission
•‑Harry S Truman Award Commission
•‑Truman Memorial Scholarship Fund Candidate Selection Committee
•‑Youth Commission (14-20 years of age)
Planning Commission
•‑THE PLANNING COMMISSION duties include preparing and recommending to the City Council a master plan for physical development; regulations governing the subdivision, and zoning plan or ordinances; making recommendations to the council on approval or disapproval of plats, and submitting to the city manager a list of recommended public improvements.
The council appoints seven members, each to four year terms to expire on July 1. The mayor and city manager are also ex-officio members serving in a liaison capacity.
Current members are:
David L. Roberts, chairman
Les Boatright, vice chairman
Patrick A. Campbell
Karen DeLuccie
Jerome F. Kacheroski
Lyn Westfall
TIF Commission
•‑TAX INCREMENT FINANCING COMMISSION serves as an advisory body to the City Council to keep records and minutes, meet at least annually and report annually to the council, adopt rules and regulations for operation and to designate a chairperson, vice-chairperson, treasurer and secretary for one-year terms.
The mayor, with consent of the council, appoints six permanent members to four-year overlapping terms which are to expire on Nov. 16. Two additional temporary members are appointed by Jackson County and one additional temporary member by “other taxing jurisdictions” and then two additional members are appointed by the school district(s) affected by any plan or redevelopment project.
Current members are:
Sue Shirk, Independence, chair
Ron Bruch, Independence
Vaughn Cornish, Independence
Larry Ewing, Fort Osage School District
Martin Kuny, Independence
Selene E. Madrid, Independence Chamber of Commerce
John Ruddy, Fort Osage School District
Jim Coen, Blue Springs School District
Bill Cowling, Blue Springs School District
Ira Anders, Independence School District
Dr. Robert Clothier, Independence School District
Blake Roberson, Independence School District
Fred Siems, Jackson County
Mark Trosen, Jackson County
Ruth Bauch, Kansas City School District
William Rogers, Kansas City School District
Ann Marie Wheeler, Kansas City Public Library
Richard Wilding, Mid-Continent Public Library
Steve Knabe, Raytown School District
Robert Phillips, Raytown School District
Heritage Commission
•‑THE HERITAGE COMMISSION’s duties are to initiate, review and recommend properties for designation as a landmark, historic district, or conservation district. The commission makes its recommendations to the Planning Commission and the City Council.
Current members are:
Brent Schondelmeyer, chairman
Anthony Durant, vice-chair
Jeffery J Shawhan, secretary
Ivan S. Bird
Tim Grove
Jean Kimball
Dennis Myers
Larry Villalva, ex-officio
Amy Williams, ex-officio
PUAB
•‑THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ADVISORY BOARD advises the council and city manager on Power and Light, Sanitary Sewer and Water Department matters.
Current members are:
Blair Wildermuth, chair
Robert Joe Miller, vice chair
Dick Franklin
Charles McClellan
Marvin Sturgeon
Russell Stewart
Edward Van Compernolle
Park Commission
•‑THE INDEPENDENCE PARK COMMISSION acts as an adviser to the City Council on park programs and recommends designation for park funds.
Current members are:
Eric Ashbaugh, chair
Frank Benson III
Angela S. Zangara
Eric Hamm
Ronald Kroeger
Clifford McCormick
Gail Price
Judge Jack Gant, ex-officio
Street committee
•‑THE STREET IMPROVEMENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE meets quarterly to advise the council on street projects and the use of the street sales tax fund.
Current members are:
Susan Dougherty, chairperson
Doug Ault
Bill Baker
Erin Boatright
William E. Brown
Paul Newberry
Gloria Smith
Health board
•‑THE ADVISORY BOARD OF HEALTH helps the city manager and the Health Department in creating new standards and laws. The board drafts ordinances dealing with health and the wellbeing of Independence residents.
Current members are:
Kathleen Bennett
Dr. Howard H. Braby, chair
Dr. John W. Chapman
Caryl Goodyear-Bruch
William C. Kendall
Dana Posey
Dr. Donald Potts
Dr. Ralph K. Ruckman
Dr. Rick Schrock
Public safety committee
•‑THE PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE oversees the 12-year sales tax approved in 2005 that benefits capital improvements in the Police and Fire departments.
Current members are:
Tom Weir, chair
John Hedden, vice-chair
Jonathan Zerr, secretary
Lloyd Briggs
Jerry Dowell
Donna Pittman
Ron Yale
