We told you what the mayor and the city council do, but have you heard of a community council? It’s a great way to get involved in the decisions that impact our everyday lives.
What Is a Community Council?
Salt Lake City’s community councils are volunteer-run, neighborhood-based advisory groups. They’re not part of the formal “strong mayor” system (mayor and city council), but they are officially recognized by the city and serve as a direct line between residents and City Hall.
What Does a Community Council Do?
Community councils weigh in on things like new developments and zoning changes, host public meetings with city officials, and help identify neighborhood priorities. They can issue formal recommendations to city decision makers, and while they don’t have the final say, their input can influence outcomes. One example is reimagining urban spaces through the Mead Underpass Project.
How To Get Involved
If you live or work in the neighborhood, it’s easy to get involved in a community council.
- Attend a monthly meeting.
- Volunteer at events or other initiatives.
- Run for a board seat.
- Sign up for your council’s newsletter.
Some cities also have youth councils, where high school-aged students can gain hands-on experience in civic engagement by working with local leaders to research issues, debate public policy, and develop leadership skills.
Find My Community Council
Want to find your community council? Salt Lake City has a handy map for that. If you live outside of Salt Lake City proper, a quick search of your neighborhood name + “community council” should do the trick.
