In response to the April 27 guest column, the City of Bloomington is providing clarification.
The City of Bloomington values the work of its boards and commissions. These bodies provide important public service, subject-matter expertise, community perspective and recommendations that help inform City decisions.
The City has not prohibited boards and commissions from advising the Council, commissions, City departments or the Office of the Mayor. Boards and commissions may continue to meet, deliberate, conduct research, draft memos, pass resolutions, make recommendations and communicate those recommendations through the City’s regular public processes.
The guidance provided only applies when a board or commission seeks to communicate externally, outside its regular duties or established City channels, in a way that could reasonably be understood as an official City position. Examples include issuing a press release, lobbying the statehouse or creating public-facing materials, such as a poster, that appear to speak for the City. As part of that guidance, the City has provided boilerplate disclaimer language for boards and commissions to use in external communications when needed, so readers can clearly distinguish between a board or commission’s position and the position of the City administration.
That is a communications coordination process, not a prohibition on public service. Boards and commissions are covered by the City’s insurance when acting within the scope of their official duties, and legal review of public statements helps protect both the City and board members. This type of review is part of the City’s usual checks and balances for public statements issued across the organization, including by City staff and the Office of the Mayor.
Desiree DeMolina is communications director for the Office of the Mayor.
