The Yakima City Council is seeking volunteers interested in serving on City of Yakima boards, committees, and commissions. The following boards have vacancies or upcoming term expirations:

• Arts Commission has three agency representative positions vacant (Valley Museum, Seasons, and Larson Gallery), one working artist position vacant, and three community member rep positions vacant.
• Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee has one position vacant.
• Henry Beauchamp Community Center has one position vacant.
• Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) has two positions vacant and three positions expire December 30, 2026.
• Parks and Recreation Commission has one youth position vacant.
• Tree City USA Board has one position vacant (specific to the City Arborist position).
• Yakima Housing Authority Board will have one term ending in January 2027.

Interested applicants should submit an application to the City Clerk’s Office by the end of business day on November 17, 2026. The Council Nominating Committee will review applications and recommend candidates to the Yakima City Council, which is responsible for formally appointing members to these boards and commissions. Applications will continue to be accepted throughout the year until vacancies are filled.

Some commissions also require a supplemental application or résumé. Details about each committee’s duties and responsibilities, along with the application form, are available online at www.yakimawa.gov/council/boards-commissions/.

More about the volunteer opportunities:

• Members of the Arts Commission serve 3-year terms. The agency representative represents local arts organizations established by Council. The working artist position shall be a person who has had his or her works of art exhibited in professional gallery spaces and/or has had their work included in professionally juried exhibitions or permanent collections. The community member position shall be from diverse backgrounds and have no vested interest in any particular art or cultural endeavor. At least three community reps shall be city residents.
• The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee has seven members. Members serve a four-year term, and one member may be a resident of Yakima County if they also either own property within the City of Yakima or own a business within the City of Yakima.
• There are seven members on the Henry Beauchamp Community Center Advisory Board, all of whom serve 4-year terms and must live within Yakima city limits. This board holds quarterly meetings and makes recommendations to the center operator and the City regarding management policies, operations, maintenance, and capital improvement needs.
• The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is comprised of nine members who serve two-year terms. Four members must represent a business required to collect the lodging tax. And four members are to be filled by a person involved in activities authorized to be funded by the lodging tax revenue.
• Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission must live within Yakima city limits. Non-youth members serve four-year terms. Youth members must be between 16-22 years of age at the time of appointment in order to be eligible to serve a 2-year term.
• The Tree City USA Board consists of five members. One of the members of the Tree Board shall be the City Arborist. The board seeks individuals with experience related to trees and other plantings, specifically those with training as arborists.
• The Yakima Housing Authority has five members. Members serve a 5-year term and City of Yakima residency is not required. The meetings are held every fourth Wednesday at the Housing Authority Office. A resume is required to be submitted with the application.