Olympia committee to hold interview process for advisory bodies

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety (CLPS) Committee will hold a two-day interview process on March 4-5 to consider appointments to several city advisory bodies.

The interviews are part of the city’s annual recruitment process to fill vacant seats on boards, committees and commissions.

According to Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray, the recruitment cycle drew 62 applications for 19 vacancies on nine advisory bodies. The CLPS is responsible for interviewing candidates and recommending appointments to the city council.

The recruitment process, which launched in October 2025 and closed on Dec. 12, 2025, includes openings on the following advisory bodies:

Arts Commission – 3

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) – 3

Cultural Access Program Advisory Board (CAAB) – 2

Design Review Board – 2

Heritage Commission – 3

Olympia Metropolitan Park District Advisory Committee (OMPD) – 1

Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) – 2

Planning Commission – 2

Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) – 1

Each advisory body with open seats reviewed applications for its respective groups. Each body was asked to recommend two more candidates for interviews than the number of available seats.

On March 4, CLPS is scheduled to interview applicants for the BPAC, UAC, planning and heritage commissions, and the OMPD.

On March 5, the committee is scheduled to proceed with interviewing applicants for the arts commission, CAAB, design review board and PRAC.

Role of advisory bodies

The city council guidebook describes advisory bodies as a key part of Olympia’s public policy process. The guidebook states that “public boards, committees, and commissions provide assistance to the council when formulating public policy and transforming policy decisions into action.”

Olympia established its first advisory body, the planning commission, in 1935. Over the decades, city councils have created 13 standing advisory bodies.

Today, nearly 100 Olympia residents serve in volunteer roles on the advisory bodies. They study issues, provide community perspectives and develop recommendations for the council.

In 2025, non-personnel costs included $11,425 in stipends for advisory body members.