Application Process – Board, Commissions & Committees

The annual recruitment for open positions on boards, commissions and committees begins in September. Applications are accepted throughout the year for all commissions.  Applications remain active for one year and applicants are contacted if there is an unscheduled vacancy on the commission to which they applied.

Before you apply:

–         Read a summary of the purpose of each board, committee, or commission, and the day, place, and time they meet.

–         Attend a meeting of the commissions you are interested in joining.

–         Speak to the commission chair and/or the staff liaison assigned to the commission for further information regarding time commitment, commission projects and sub-committees, and the role of a commission member.

–         Attend a Town Council meeting, or watch it televised on KCAT, to learn more about Town government and current issues.

–         Subscribe to the Town of Los Gatos “What’s New!” eMail Delivery Service for more information about Town government and the community.

–         Read the Commissioner Handbook for more information.

Application Instructions:

Fill out a separate application (pdf) for each commission you wish to join:

Arts & Culture Commission  
Building Board of Appeals  
Community and Senior Services Commission  

General Plan Committee  
Historic Preservation Committee  
Library Board

Parks Commission
Personnel Board  

Planning Commission  + Case Study

Transportation and Parking Commission 
Student Commissions

–         Submit a new application even if you are re-applying to a commission.

–         Type or print neatly so your application can be easily read when reproduced.

–         Be sure to answer all supplemental questions.

–         Limit attachments to two single-sided pages.

–         Sign your application.

–         Applications will be kept active for 12 months.

–         Submit your application to the Clerk Department, 110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030. You may contact the Clerk Department at (408) 354-6888.

What happens next...

–         After the application deadline, your application will be reproduced and given to Council members to review.

–         Qualified applicants will be interviewed; Town Council makes all appointments.
Appointments to commissions are made at a Town Council meeting, generally held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7 p.m., in the Town Council Chambers, 110 East Main Street.

If appointed, you should expect to...

–         Attend every regular meeting of the commission. If you are absent from four meetings (eight meetings for the Planning Commission) in a twelve-month period, you will lose your seat on the commission. Most commissions meet once each month; the Planning Commission meets twice each month.

–         Spend time before each meeting reading the packet of information provided to you, and come to each meeting prepared to participate fully in all the items on the agenda.

–         Fill out a Fair Political Practices Commission Statement of Economic Interests form each year, disclosing as public record any potential conflicts of interest you may have in discharging your duties.

–         Serve a term ranging from two to four years, depending on the commission.

–         Participate in your local government process in a meaningful way, and make a lasting positive difference in your community.